On 19 February, in Kubinka near Moscow, NPK «Sukhoi Attackers» has performed ground run-up of engines of first prototype Su-25UBM combat trainer with modernized airborne equipment, thereby the cycle of state tests of this advanced Russian aircraft has been started. The more powerful R-195 engines are installed on up-to-date combat trainer-attacker, providing installation of radically new system of aircraft power supply that, in its turn, allowed installing a modern avionics.

A successful completion of engine run-up allows, in the near future, starting a preliminary stage of flight tests, which are planned being completed till the end of 2008. In 2009 the second stage of tests will be completed, after which Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant can deliver of up-to-date aircraft for needs of Russian Ministry of Defense and foreign countries (through FSUE «Rosoboronexport»), and also modernization of Su-25UB's being in operation at the present time.

Su-25UBM attacker will allow implementing a complete complex of innovations that the army-accepted single-seat Su-25SM attacker has, and therefore will provide a quality training of Russian Air Force flying personnel at all range of capabilities of Su-25SM combat aircraft. In this manner, a successful completion of state tests of Su-25UBM aircraft will allow Russian Ministry of Defense putting it in the inventory, both as full combat unit and as trainer for Su-25SM aircraft training.

The prototype of Su-25UBM trainer combat aircraft-attacker was manufactured in July 2007 in Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant and, for the first time, was shown at MAKS-2007 aeroshow, where excited an intense interest on the part of representatives of Russian Ministry of Defense and foreign visitors. Upon completion of aeroshow, the aircraft was handed over to NPK «Sukhoi attackers» for retrofit and conducting tests.

At the present time the assembly of second Su-25UBM aircraft is about to finish at U-UAP, which should be handed over to NPK «Sukhoi attackers» for flight tests in II quarter of 2008.