""cool" factor, but doesn't really add anything"" - I disagree, ED strive for authenticity, but SU-25 doesn't feel real(except flight model) you press one button and your engine started, press another and all systems ready. It's not just cool feature its immersion. At this point, it needs to be removed from the sim or updated to the proper level. But it is just my opinion.
Yeah but SU-25 has SEAD capabilities with decent range plus we need some Russian aircrafts for balancing reasons. Its weird when you play for Russia and its primary attack aircraft is A-10C.