Key Points and Summary – The A-10 Warthog, a “tank plinker” hero of the War on Terror, is a “relic” with no role in a modern, stand-off missile fight with China.
-The A-10 should be retired by the USAF as planned in 2026 and given to allies like the Philippines for counter-terror missions or to South Korea to face North Korea’s tanks, as it is unsuited for a high-tech fight with China.
A-10 Warthog NSJ Photos. Image taken on 7/20/2025.
A-10 Warthog National Security Journal Photo Essay Picture.
Is It the End of the Road for the A-10 Warthog?
This is one airplane that just won’t die. The A-10 Warthog has been a great friend to the American soldiers and marines who fought on the ground during the Global War on Terror.
It delivers immense firepower in close-quarter situations and has saved countless personnel over the years. It also enjoyed a great run as a “tank plinker” during Operation Desert Storm.
However, the future mission set for the A-10 has been called into question. Large ground force-on-force battles will probably not be fought against the Chinese if war comes to East Asia.
This will be a long-range standoff missile fight conducted by fighters and bombers from the Air Force, and by surface ships, aircraft carriers, and submarines from the Navy.
Many Other Airplanes Can Conduct Close Air Support Roles
The A-10 does not really have a role in this type of modern warfare. It is a relic that needs to be retired.
The F-35 and someday, the F-47 NGAD can conduct close air support for the Air Force. Moreover, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, F-35C, and the future F/A-XX can conduct ground strikes to support Navy personnel.
A-10s to the Philippines?
That’s why a 2024 deployment of A-10s to the Philippines was curious. The A-10s were from the 25th Fighter Squadron and landed at Clark Air Base in December to train with the Philippines’ military.
“The Pacific Air Force’s Dynamic Force Employment deployments enhance combined lethality by prioritizing the capacity and capabilities for major combat operations while being strategically predictable but operationally unpredictable in an ever-evolving competitive and contested environment. The U.S. Air Force conducts regular training and engagements such as this within the region to further develop operational readiness and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific,” according to an Air Force news release.
The Chinese Would Make Mincemeat Out of the A-10
That’s all fine and good (and a word salad that doesn’t reveal much), but is the A-10 even necessary? It is a slow-flying, heavy, non-stealthy beast that would be easy pickings for Chinese air defenses and swarming drones.
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies a routine mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Dec. 23, 2024. A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots train and operate under night vision, allowing them to conduct presence patrols critical to regional security at any time and under any conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Even if the Air Force sold the A-10 to the Philippines, it is not likely to make a difference. There is just a little chance that the United States and its allies will fight a force-on-force ground war with China where the A-10 would be used.
How About Sending the A-10 to South Korea?
I could see it being deployed in South Korea to face down the North Koreans. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has massive amounts of tanks, armored personnel carriers, and self-propelled artillery. The A-10 could cause some damage to DPRK forces. Against China, the A-10 would have a difficult time, though, if employed by South Korea.
Allied interoperability with all Air Force airplanes is essential in the Indo-Pacific. Smaller partners like the Philippines need to rehearse modern maintenance procedures and combat air control tactics for ground-to-air communication. I’m sure special forces from the Philippines were involved with the A-10 training last year.
The A-10 as a Counter-Terror Platform
The Philippines could also use the A-10 (if America ever sold the airplane) as a counterinsurgency and counter-terror platform. The southern region of Mindanao still has active terrorist groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf Group and ISIS-Philippines. The A-10 is a good asset for eliminating militants from those factions.
Alternatively, the Brazilian Super Tucano may be a more cost-effective counterinsurgency airplane. But nothing in the class has more air support combat experience than the A-10.
Thus, the Warthog could be transferred to the Philippines if the Americans retire it. This would allow counter-terrorism missions and give the Philippines a way to respond to China, which has territorial claims against Manila.
Those Days of Tank Plinking Are Over
American use of A-10s in East Asia is not in the cards, though. Without any stealth capability, the A-10 would be destroyed handily by the Chinese, and a decisive armor-and-mechanized infantry battle on land is unlikely.
This Potential Transfer Deal Would Be Difficult
If the A-10 is completely retired by the Air Force in 2026, as is planned, then it could be offered to allies in the Indo-Pacific, such as the Philippines and South Korea.
However, the deal could be challenging to accomplish. Both countries would need spare parts and components, plus new pilots would have to be trained. A better level of interoperability with ground forces would be required – likely the use of special operations forces who conduct air control from the ground. The A-10 requires forward observers to conduct battle damage assessment. This takes years of training and preparation.
There is still the question of survivability without much speed and stealthiness. Even the old North Korean air defenses would have an answer against the A-10s. South Korea may view the platform like the Philippines does – an airplane better suited for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. The A-10 would have to return to its original tank-plinking role to be effective on the Korean Peninsula.
However, the Philippines would make good use of the A-10. A transfer of Warthogs would be a considerable boost to Manila, and the Chinese would be sure to take notice. There are still confrontations from Chinese maritime craft and warships that hassle vessels from the Philippines. Having a surface strike aircraft could help the Philippines protect its territorial claims.
Let’s see if the A-10 is completely retired by next year. It would be a shame if all of the trusty airplanes wind up at the Boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. Other countries could make use of the Warthog so the Americans can help their allies in East Asia. The Philippines and South Korea could use them to their heart’s content and restore the A-10’s glory.
About the Author: Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for US Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former US Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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Leonard Barker
November 5, 2025 at 10:22 pm
What a usual pile of crock and sadly from a former army individual. As with the article i read earlier about the B52 should be retired because it cannot hide from radar. First no real ground pounder (I was one in Nam.) is going to vote for replacing that slow moving A10 with a F16 or F35. The marines already know how well a $80 million F35 flying low and slow enough to be of any use at real ground support. Why don’t we retire all the attack helicopters as they are truly setting ducks compared to the A10. You have no idea what type command we may have in any war after both sides (Us way first as we have no real stockpile.)run out of million dollar missiles. As for B52 yes it is big and slow but it carries a huge payload and it is expected that these super expensive fighter planes are supposed to protect it. If not then junk them to. And last while getting your PHD did you have time to take a look at last thirty years of contracts that congress have stopped in middle of production. Lets see 150 F22s and i think twenty something B2s and if things go as normal 100-150 B21s while Chile builds five times as many and does not spend 10 million dollars each for a cruise missile and a million for a single ground to air missile. I am 77 and pouring billions into a hand full of weapons is what i have observed for forty years. Oh and by the way, hanging all your hopes on stealh is really risky when china or russia create radar or other and see them clearly, just a matter of time.