View source for Kh-25

{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=Kh-25ML/MLT/MR<br /><small>([[NATO reporting name]]: AS-10 'Karen')</small><br />Kh-25MP <small>(AS-12 'Kegler')</small>
| image= Kh-25ML.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=Kh-25ML
|origin=[[Soviet Union]]
|type=tactical [[air-to-surface missile]] 
|design_date=1971–75
|manufacturer=Zvezda-Strela
|unit_cost=
|propellant=
|production_date=1975–present
|service=1975–present
|engine=
|engine_power=
|weight=Kh-25ML :{{convert|299|kg|lb|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name="TMC" /><br />Kh-25MP :{{convert|315|kg|lb|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name="TMC2" />
|length=Kh-25ML :{{convert|370.5|cm|ftin|abbr=on|0}}<ref name="TMC" /><br />Kh-25MP 1VP :{{convert|425.5|cm|in|abbr=on|1}}<ref name="TMC2" /><br />Kh-25MP 2VP :{{convert|435.5|cm|in|abbr=on|1}}<ref name="TMC2" />
|height=
|diameter={{convert|27.5|cm|in|abbr=on|1}}<ref name="TMC" />
|wingspan={{convert|75.5|cm|in|abbr=on|1}}<ref name="TMC" />
|speed=Kh-25ML :{{convert|1370|-|2410|km/h|mph|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}<ref name="TMC" /><br />Kh-25MP :{{convert|1080|-|1620|km/h|mph|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}<ref name="TMC2" />
|vehicle_range=Kh-25ML :{{convert|11|km|nmi|abbr=on|1}}<ref name="DzknmTgDUC">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l-DzknmTgDUC&pg=PA235|title=The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997–1998|isbn=9781557502681|access-date=14 November 2014|last1=Friedman|first1=Norman|year=1997|publisher=Naval Institute Press }}</ref><br />Kh-25MP :up to {{convert|60|km|nmi|abbr=on|0}}<ref name="DzknmTgDUC" /><br />Kh-25MTP : {{convert|20|km|nmi|abbr=on|0}}<ref name="DzknmTgDUC" />
|ceiling=
|altitude=
|filling=High explosive, shell-forming
|filling_weight=Kh-25MP :{{convert |89.6|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}},<ref name="TMC2" /> Kh-25MR :{{convert |140|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="DzknmTgDUC" />
|detonation=
|accuracy=
|yield=
|guidance=[[Laser guidance]], [[Anti-radiation missile|passive radiation]], [[TV guidance]], [[infrared homing|IIR]], [[Satellite guidance]], [[active radar homing]] depending on variant
|launch_platform=MiG-21,<ref name="Janes-25" /> MiG-23/27,<ref name="Janes-25" /> MiG-29,<ref name="Janes-25" /> Ka-52, Su-17/20/22,<ref name="Janes-25" /> Su-24,<ref name="Janes-25" /> Su-25,<ref name="Janes-25" /> Su-27,<ref name="Janes-25" /> Yakovlev Yak-130 <br />Kh-25MP : MiG-23/27,<ref name="Janes-Kegler" /> Su-17/22,<ref name="Janes-Kegler" /> Su-24,<ref name="Janes-Kegler" /> Su-25<ref name="Janes-Kegler" /> Ka-50<ref name="Janes-25" />
}}
[[File:Fixing missiles to a Russian jet at Latakia (1).jpg|thumb|Kh-25 being mounted on a Russian [[Sukhoi Su-24|Su-24]] at [[Khmeimim (air base)|Khmeimim air base]] for use against Syrian insurgent targets]]

The '''Kh-25/Kh-25M''' ({{langx|ru|[[Kha (Cyrillic)|Х]]-25}}; [[NATO reporting name|NATO]]: '''AS-10 'Karen{{'}}''') is a family of [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] lightweight air-to-ground missiles with a [[Modularity|modular]] range of guidance systems and a range of 10&nbsp;km.<ref name="TMC" /> The [[anti-radiation missile| anti-radiation]] variant (Kh-25MP) is known to NATO as the '''AS-12 '[[wikt:kegler|Kegler]]{{'}}''' and has a range up to 40&nbsp;km.<ref name="TMC2" /> Designed by Zvezda-Strela, the Kh-25 is derived from the laser-guided version of the [[Kh-23 Grom]] (AS-7 'Kerry'). The Kh-25 remains in widespread use despite the apparent development of a successor, the [[Kh-38]].

==Development==
Based on an air-to-air missile, the beam-riding Kh-66 had been the Soviet Union's first air-to-ground missile for tactical aircraft, entering service in 1968.<ref name="history" /> However it proved difficult to use in practice as the launch aircraft had to dive towards the target. A version with radio-command guidance, the [[Kh-23]], was first tested in 1968 but problems with the guidance system meant that it would not enter service for another five years.<ref name="NIGWNWS">{{citation |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=l-DzknmTgDUC&pg=PA235 |title=The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems |first=Norman |last=Friedman |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=1997 |isbn=978-1-55750-268-1 |page=235}}</ref> So in 1971 work began on a version with a semi-active laser seeker, which became the Kh-25.<ref name="history">{{citation |url=http://eng.ktrv.ru/docs/history_eng.doc |format=Word 97 DOC |pages=4–6 |title=History of JSC Tactical Missile Corporation |access-date=2009-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727014325/http://eng.ktrv.ru/docs/history_eng.doc |archive-date=2011-07-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This was initially known in the West as the Kh-23L.<ref name="Janes-23">{{citation|url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jalw/jalw2915.html |title=Kh-23, Kh-66 Grom (AS-7 'Kerry') |journal=Jane's Air-Launched Weapons |date=2008-08-01|access-date=2009-02-07}} {{dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> State testing began on 24 November 1974, and the Kh-25 entered production in 1975.<ref name="history" />

Work began on an anti-radar missile derived from the Kh-66<ref name="Janes-Kegler">{{citation|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Air-Launched-Weapons/Kh-25MP-Kh-25MPU-AS-12-Kegler-Russian-Federation.html |title=Kh-25MP, Kh-25MPU (AS-12 'Kegler') |journal=Jane's Air-Launched Weapons |date=2008-08-01|access-date=2009-02-07}}</ref> in 1972, using a passive radar seeker and SUR-73 autopilot.<ref name="history" /> The long-range [[Kh-31]] anti-radar missile came out of the same project.<ref name="history" /> The Kh-27 began state testing on a MiG-27 on 8 August 1975<ref name="history" /> but did not enter service until 2 September 1980.<ref name="history" /> It was assigned the [[NATO reporting name]] AS-12 'Kegler' and in effect it replaced the much heavier [[Kh-28]] (AS-9 'Kyle').<ref name="Janes-Kegler" />

In 1973 Victor Bugaiskii was appointed head engineer of the bureau and he started work on combining the Kh-23M, Kh-25 and Kh-27 into a single modular system to reduce costs and improve tactical flexibility.<ref name="history" /> The Kh-27 missile was chosen as a basis, due to its more powerful rocket engine and new autopilot.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Angielskiy |first=Rostislav |title=«Zvyezda» sniala v Korolevye |magazine= Tekhnika i Vooruzheniye|issue= 7/2005|date=July 2005|pages=32|language=ru}}</ref> This was completed by the end of 1978,<ref name="history" /> resulting in the Kh-25MP (anti-radar), Kh-25ML (laser-guided) and Kh-25MR (radio-guided) family. NATO continued to refer to these as the AS-12 and AS-10 respectively, even though they could now be switched by a simple change of seeker head.

==Design==
The Kh-25 is very similar to the later version of the [[Kh-23 Grom]], with cruciform canards and fins.

The Kh-25MP has two versions of its homing head, 1VP and 2VP, sensitive to different frequencies.<ref name="TMC2">{{cite web |url=http://eng.ktrv.ru/production_eng/323/511/369/ |title=Kh-25MP |publisher=Tactical Missiles Corporation |year=2004 |access-date=2009-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928104205/http://eng.ktrv.ru/production_eng/323/511/369/ |archive-date=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Combat history==
The original Kh-25 entered service with the Soviet Air Force between 1973-5, equipping the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MiG-23]], [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27|MiG-27]] and [[Sukhoi Su-17|Su-17M]].<ref name="Janes-25">{{citation|url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jalw/jalw2917.html |title=Kh-25 (AS-10 'Karen') |journal=Jane's Air-Launched Weapons |date=2008-08-01 |access-date=2009-02-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612233016/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jalw/jalw2917.html |archive-date=June 12, 2009 }}</ref> Since then it has been cleared for use on the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]], [[Mikoyan MiG-29|MiG-29]], Sukhoi Su-17/20/22 family, [[Sukhoi Su-24]], [[Sukhoi Su-25|Su-25]] and [[Sukhoi Su-27|Su-27]].<ref name="Janes-25" /> It can also be carried by attack helicopters such as the [[Kamov Ka-50]].

The Kh-25MP can be fitted to the MiG-23/27, Su-17/22, Su-24 and Su-25.<ref name="Janes-Kegler" />

===Soviet war in Afghanistan===
Starting in April 1986, during the [[Battles of Zhawar|second Battle of Zhawar]], Kh-25MLs were used by Soviet [[Su-25]] Frogfoots from the 378th OShAP (Independent Shturmovik Aviation Regiment) to attack [[Mujahideen]] cave entrances used as shelters and weapons storage facilities. Attacks were carried out from up to 4.5&nbsp;nm (8&nbsp;km).<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wsWcAwAAQBAJ&q=Kh-29+afghanistan+1987&pg=PA49|title=Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot|isbn=9781782003595|access-date=14 November 2014|last1=Miladenov|first1=Alexander|date=17 September 2013|publisher=Bloomsbury USA }}</ref>

===Iraqi invasion of Kuwait===
During the [[Iraqi invasion of Kuwait]], on August 2, 1990 an Iraqi Air Force Sukhoi Su-22 from the No.109 Squadron (based at as-Shoibiyah AB) fired a single Kh-25MP anti-radar variant against a Kuwaiti [[MIM-23]]B I-HAWK SAM site at [[Bubiyan Island]] that had earlier downed another Su-22 from the same unit and a MiG-23BN from the 49th Squadron. This forced a radar shutdown on the HAWK. The HAWK battery (which was operated by some American contractors) was later captured by Iraqi special forces and found out to be in automatic mode of operation, after the contractors fled.<ref name="invasion kuwait">{{cite web |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |last2=Sadik (IrAF) |first2=Brig. Gen. Ahmad |title=Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait; 1990 |website=ACIG.org |access-date=12 May 2024 |url=http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=47 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714122134/http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=47 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |date=26 August 2007}}</ref>

===Chechen Wars===
Russian Air Force Su-25s employed the Kh-25 in its two Chechen campaigns for attacks on fixed positions, such as mortars and bunkers. However, their usage wasn't extensive in relation to those of unguided bombs and rockets. The use of precision-guided munitions allowed air support in areas too dangerous for attack helicopters. Their use was not widespread in the [[First Chechen War|First War]] as was in [[Second Chechen War|the Second]], mainly due to differences in weather conditions and, probably, the need to keep a strategic reserve of stockpiles shortly after the fall of the USSR.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Major Robert D. Evans, USAF |title=Russian Airpower in the Second Chechen War |url=http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA391341 |publisher=[[Defense Technical Information Center]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614100710/http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA391341 |archive-date=2017-06-14 |date=2001-01-05}}</ref>

===Russia intervention in Syria===
Laser-guided Kh-25s were employed by [[Su-24]] swing wing strike aircraft against anti-Assad rebels in [[Syria]].{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

{{clear}}
[[File:Vietnamese Su-22M4 with Kh-25s.jpg|thumb|[[Vietnam People's Air Force]] [[Sukhoi Su-17|Sukhoi Su-22M4]] with a pair of Kh-25MP ARM.]]

==Variants==
NATO refers to all of the Kh-25 family as AS-10 'Karen' apart from the anti-radar variants. An "M" designation stands for "''Modulnaya''" – modular (seeker head).
* '''Kh-25''' (''Izdeliye'' 71, Kh-23L) – original laser-guided variant
* '''Kh-25ML''' – semi-active laser guidance with tandem warhead that can penetrate {{convert|1|m|in|0}} of concrete<ref name="NIGWNWS06">{{citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4S3h8j_NEmkC&pg=PA838 |title=The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems |edition=5|first=Norman |last=Friedman |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-55750-262-9 |page=838}}</ref>
* '''Kh-25MA''' – active radar guidance, first offered for export in 1999<ref name="Janes-25" />
* '''Kh-25MAE''' – Kh-25MA update announced for export in August 2005 with Ka-band seeker, probably [[Phazotron]]'s PSM which can detect a tank at {{convert|4000|m|yd|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} and which can also be used on the Kh-25MA<ref name="NIGWNWS06" />
* '''Kh-25MS''' – satellite navigation ([[GPS]] or [[GLONASS]])<ref name="Janes-25" />
* '''Kh-25MSE''' – export version of Kh-25MS, announced August 2005<ref name="NIGWNWS06" />
* '''Kh-25MT''' – TV guidance<ref name="Janes-25" />
* '''Kh-25MTP''' – infra-red guidance variant of Kh-25MT<ref name="DzknmTgDUC" /><ref name="Janes-25" />
* '''Kh-25R/Kh-25MR''' – Radio-command guidance variant,<ref name="Janes-25" /> it has a bigger {{convert |140|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} warhead.<ref name="DzknmTgDUC" />
* '''Kh-27''' (Kh-27/M, AS-12 'Kegler') – original anti-radiation missile
* '''Kh-25MP''' (AS-12 'Kegler') – modular anti-radiation variant<ref name="Janes-Kegler" />
* '''Kh-25MPU''' (AS-12 'Kegler') – Updated Kh-25MP<ref name="Janes-Kegler" />

Training rounds have "U" designations, so, e.g., for the Kh-25ML there is:
* '''Kh-25MUL''' – combat training Kh-25ML<ref name="TMC">{{cite web |url=http://eng.ktrv.ru/production_eng/323/513/367/ |title=Kh-25ML |publisher=Tactical Missiles Corporation |year=2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928104131/http://eng.ktrv.ru/production_eng/323/513/367/ |archive-date=2007-09-28 }}</ref>
* '''Kh-25ML-UD''' – functional training missile<ref name="TMC" />
* '''Kh-25ML-UR''' – sectional training missile<ref name="TMC" />

==Operators==
[[File:Kh-25 operators.png|thumb|400px|Map with Kh-25 operators in blue]]

===Current===
* {{ALG}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=344}}
* {{BLR}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=183}}
* {{BUL}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=78}}
* {{CHN}}<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Tactical Missiles Corporation Missile Exportation Since 1992 |journal=[[Moscow Defense Brief]] |url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/94687/2008_4.pdf |issue=4/2008 |page=26}}</ref>
* {{ETH}} − [[Ethiopian Air Force]], Kh-25ML on the Su-25<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=Tankovy Busters: Su-25TK Attack Aircraft In Ethiopian Service |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/08/tankovy-busters-russian-su-25tk-attack.html |website=Oryx |date=26 August 2021}}</ref>
* {{IRN}} − Kh-25 and Kh-25ML variants used{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=356}}
* {{PRK}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=284}}
* {{KAZ}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=187}}
* {{POL}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=127}}
* {{SYR}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=387}}
* {{UKR}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=213}} − Used on [[Su-24M]] bombers<ref>{{cite news |last1=Newdick |first1=Thomas |title=Ukrainian Su-24 Back In The Fight And Armed With A Laser-Guided Missile |url=https://www.twz.com/ukrainian-su-24-back-in-the-fight-and-armed-with-a-laser-guided-missile |access-date=12 May 2024 |work=The War Zone |date=10 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ukrainian Air Force Probably Use Rare Soviet Kh-25 Missiles With Su-24M Aircraft |url=https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_air_force_probably_use_rare_soviet_kh_25_missiles_with_su_24m_aircraft-9712.html |access-date=12 May 2024 |work=Defense Express |date=3 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
* {{UZB}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=216}}

===Former===
* {{flag|Afghanistan|1980}} − Kh-25ML and Kh-25MP delivered between 1988 and 1989<ref name="SIPRI">{{cite web |title=Arms transfer database |url=https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/TransferRegister |website=SIPRI |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=12 May 2024}}</ref>
* {{CZS}} − Kh-25MR, Kh-25ML, and Kh-25MP variants<ref name="SIPRI" />
* {{GDR}} − Kh-25MP<ref name="SIPRI" />
* {{HUN}} − Kh-25ML and Kh-25MP variants<ref name="SIPRI" />
* {{IND}} − Kh-25MLT used on [[MiG-23BN]] and [[MiG-27]]<ref name="SIPRI" />
* {{flag|Iraq|1963}}<ref name="invasion kuwait" /><ref name="SIPRI" />
* {{flag|Libya|1977}}<ref name="SIPRI" />
* {{ROM}} − Kh-25MP<ref name="SIPRI" />
* {{RUS}} − Replaced by the [[Kh-38M]]{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=170}}
* {{USSR}} − Passed on to successor states
* {{VNM}} − [[Vietnam People's Air Force]] used Kh-25 variants with the [[Sukhoi Su-17|Sukhoi Su-22]] and the [[Su-30MKK|Su-30MK2]] as late as 2014<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quang Minh |date=2014-06-10 |title=Kh-25 - Tên lửa đối đất chủ lực của Su-22 Việt Nam |trans-title=Kh-25 - the backbone anti-surface missile of Vietnamese Su-22 |url=https://soha.vn/news-20140610144751653.htm |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=Soha |language=vi}}</ref>

==Similar weapons==
* [[Kh-23]]M (AS-7 'Kerry') – predecessor to the Kh-25 had some technology "backported" from the Kh-25
* [[Kh-29]] (AS-14 'Kedge') – 320&nbsp;kg warhead; semi-active laser, IIR, passive radar and TV guidance with 10–30&nbsp;km range
* [[Kh-59]] (AS-13 'Kingbolt') – longer range missile with heavier warhead and TV guidance
* [[Kh-38]] – successor to the Kh-25
* [[AGM-65 Maverick]] – similar lightweight missile in US service which has seen numerous guidance and warhead variants
* [[AGM-45 Shrike]] – US equivalent to the Kh-25MP anti-radar missile

==Bibliography==

*{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2024 |date=2024 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-040-05115-3 |language=en |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2024}} |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies }}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Citation|last=Gordon|first=Yefim|title=Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two|year=2004|location=Hinckley, England|publisher=Midland Publishing|isbn=1-85780-188-1}}

==External links==
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/as-10.htm Zvezda Kh-25 (AS-10 Karen)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051639/http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/as-10.htm |date=2016-03-04 }} FAS
* [http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-ASM.html Soviet/Russian Tactical Air - Surface Missiles]

{{Russian and Soviet missiles|ASM}}
{{Russian and Soviet military designation sequences}}

[[Category:Cold War air-to-surface missiles of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Anti-radiation missiles of the Soviet Union|Kh-025]]
[[Category:Air-to-surface missiles of the Soviet Union|Kh-025]]
[[Category:Tactical Missiles Corporation products]]
[[Category:Anti-radiation missiles of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1970s]]