do you have a source? seems really odd to replace such a dedicated CAS aircraft with an advanced trainer-derived substitute. reminds me of the F-35 being considered as the A-10 replacement..
unless it's for a more supplementary, low intensity conflict/coin role like what the super tucanos are for

This post has been edited by pziv2: Feb 10 2017, 11:26 PM

I'm aware of said decision, but the fact remains that such a proposal existed despite the practically of said proposal being seemingly obvious.. thus the comparison with the alleged Su-25 (a dedicated CAS aircraft) replacement by a trainer.

there's definitely some factor/intel/politics that as the public we're not privy to, but besides the increased prevalence of COIN/LIC operations I can't fathom their rationale.

EDIT: found a related article from 2012. In it, the planned Yak-130 derived light attack plane never materialized. a SU-25 replacement is in the works but it's implied that it's a new design and not be from a Yak-130

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/...acement-372103/

This post has been edited by pziv2: Feb 11 2017, 12:40 AM

but none of them are of the same calibre or even of the same role as the SU-25! these examples are certainly light multirole aircraft that just happen to be able to be equipped as an attack plane. the SU-25 on the other hand is a dedicated CAS aircraft, and no matter how you cut it, any trainer derived attack aircraft will not have the endurance, armour or payload of a dedicated design..