Mali has received two Su-25 attack aircraft from Russia since 2022, but both crashed before nine months of service
Mali's armed forces have invested unsuccessfully in Russian Su-25 aircraft. The African country has received two attack aircraft since 2022, but neither of them has been able to last even a year.
Here's What We Know
Mali's air force has confirmed the loss of its only Su-25. The aircraft crashed on September 9, 2023. The military complained of bad weather and engine failure. The pilots were able to eject and survive.
#Mali????????- Images from the crash site suggest that the Malian Air Force lost its Su-25 reg. TZ-25C (delivered January 2023). The CMA reported that their forces had fired on the jet, leading to the crash. There were also very bad weather conditions, another possible cause of the crash. https://t.co/kAGTqhNUze pic.twitter.com/BDLdUJgiOO
- Fabian (@fabsenbln) September 10, 2023
#Mali????????- @FAMa_DIRPA confirms in an ORTM report that an Su-25 crashed. The reason given is a technical error that forced the crew to eject and led to the crash of the aircraft. https://t.co/sM1nfSweAH
- Fabian (@fabsenbln) September 11, 2023
The aircraft has the registration number TZ-25C. It was delivered to the armed forces along with Mi-8 helicopters and L-39 training aircraft.
#azawad #tin_awkar
- Issa Ag Amoudak Alla ⴰⴶ ⴰⵎⵓⴸⴾ (@issatenere) September 10, 2023
Photos exclusives de l'avion de combat de l'armée malienne abattu par les forces azawadiennes à Tin_awkre hier soir 17h @africanpercpt @azawad_news @Chaboune_Ag @cicamazawad @AJArabic @skynewsarabia pic.twitter.com/xOuC45Wy2F
Mali received this Su-25 in January 2023. Thus, the aircraft has been in service for approximately eight months. But this is four times longer than the previous attack aircraft. In 2022, Russia delivered the first Su-25 to the African country. It crashed two months later.
