Russia Set To Bring Su-57 Felon and Su-75 Checkmate to Aero India in Intensified Buyer Push

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Russia is set to bring its second fifth-generation fighter, the “Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate”, at Aero India 2025, scheduled to commence on February 10, as it step-up its promotional effort to persuade India to acquire its second fifth-generation fighter jet.

The Su-75 Checkmate will make its debut appearance at the prestigious airshow, with India reportedly among the key nations Russia is targeting for potential sales.

India, however, has its own indigenous fifth-generation fighter program, known as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The AMCA project is being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the supervision of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Designed to equip the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy with next-generation stealth fighter jets, the AMCA project underscores India’s ambitions to develop an advanced homegrown combat aircraft.

United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and Sukhoi, the developers of the Su-75 Checkmate, are expected to display a full-scale mock-up of the aircraft at Aero India 2025, as the actual prototype is still under development.

Currently, UAC and Sukhoi are working on two prototypes of the Su-75 for flight testing, with the maiden flight expected either this year or in 2026.

Sukhoi is positioning the Checkmate as a cost-effective alternative to Western stealth fighters, offering advanced capabilities at a lower price point.

In line with this, Russia has accelerated the Su-75 development program, prioritizing international markets as its key focus.

UAC has confirmed that the Su-75 Checkmate program is in its final development phase.

According to Russia’s TASS news agency, Sergei Korotkov, a senior official at United Aircraft Corporation, described the Su-75 as a fifth-generation single-engine fighter jet that is nearing completion.

“The development of the Su-75 Checkmate tactical fighter has progressed significantly, paving the way for promising advancements,” Korotkov stated in an interview with RIA Novosti.

He also noted that the fighter jet is generating significant interest among international buyers, highlighting a strong market demand for the aircraft.

In September 2024, during the Egypt International Airshow, Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheev revealed that several countries in the Middle East and Africa had expressed interest in acquiring the Checkmate.

First introduced at MAKS-2021 in Russia, the Su-75 Checkmate is designed to meet the demands of modern air combat.

It is widely viewed as Russia’s response to the dominance of American stealth technology in the fighter jet market.

At the Dubai Airshow, official specifications confirmed that the Checkmate will be available in multiple configurations, including single-seat, twin-seat, and an unmanned version.

Key Specifications of the Su-75 Checkmate

As a fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter, the Su-75 boasts impressive specifications:

• Maximum Speed: Approximately Mach 1.8

• Combat Range: 1,864 miles

• Maximum Operating Altitude: 54,100 feet

• Weapon Payload: Up to 7.4 tons, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles stored in internal weapon bays to maintain stealth characteristics, similar to the F-22 Raptor.

Additionally, the Su-75 is equipped with:

• AI-assisted systems to enhance pilot performance

• Advanced avionics

• Network-centric warfare capabilities for integrated operations

One of the Checkmate’s most attractive features is its price. Estimated at between $30 million and $35 million per unit, it is significantly more affordable than American stealth fighters:

• F-35 Lightning II: Ranges between $82.5 million and $102.1 million, depending on the variant

• F-22A Raptor: Considerably more expensive and unavailable for export

The Su-75 was first showcased in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the 2021 Dubai Airshow.

Recently, Sergei Korotkov’s statements came shortly after Russia’s defense export agency, Rosoboronexport, announced that it had secured its first international customer for the Su-57, Russia’s existing fifth-generation stealth fighter.

Reports suggest that Algeria may be the buyer.

With the combined capabilities of the Su-57 and Su-75, Russia is determined to compete with American and Chinese stealth fighters in the global defense market.

Furthermore, the ongoing Ukraine conflict has accelerated Russia’s Su-75 development efforts, as Moscow seeks to reinforce its aerial capabilities while expanding its export footprint.

– DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA