Russia Commences Construction on First Su-75 Checkmate Flight Prototype to Challenge F-35

Russian state aviation authorities have announced the start of construction on the first flight prototype of the prospective Su-75 Checkmate single-engine fighter jet, according to a report by Militarnyi, citing the Russian state news agency TASS on June 5.

Vadim Badekha, the General Director of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), stated in an interview that the stealth aircraft is being developed to fulfill both domestic Russian Ministry of Defense requirements and targeted foreign export orders.

A primary objective outlined by the Russian military for the project is driving down the production and serial manufacturing costs of the final fighter.

The choice of a single-engine layout serves as the core advantage of the Su-75 Checkmate program, Badekha told TASS. This specific configuration is intended to substantially minimize manufacturing overhead and long-term operational costs compared to standard twin-engine heavy fighters.

Militarnyi noted that this project represents a significant industrial pivot for Russia, which has lacked a presence in the global single-engine combat aircraft market for several decades.

Read more

Category

War in Ukraine

Five Russian Superweapons That Became Military Tech Disasters

Nov 21, 2025 17:24

First unveiled by the Sukhoi Corporation in 2021 as a light multirole fighter, the Checkmate’s development timeline has faced repeated delays. Originally scheduled to take flight in 2023, the maiden flight window was pushed successively to 2024, 2025, and is now projected for late 2026, according to the TASS interview details.

The manufacturer continues to position the new aircraft as a simpler, far more affordable alternative to the American F-35A Lightning II, which is currently mass-produced and deployed by the United States and various NATO allies. Russian aerospace officials have previously claimed the export variant will carry a price tag of approximately $30 million, with the theoretical option to integrate specific Western-manufactured components depending on the purchasing country’s preference.

According to technical specifications published by Militarnyi, the Su-75 will feature a maximum takeoff weight of 26 tons and an internal and external payload capacity of up to 7,400 kilograms of weapons and specialized equipment.

Read more

Category

War in Ukraine

Ukraine Destroyed a Russian Su-57, Russia’s Most Advanced Fighter Jet

Jun 10, 2024 11:25

The fighter is designed to be armed with a 30mm automatic cannon, reach a top speed of 2,200 km/h, and possess a maximum operational range of up to 2,800 kilometers.

This targeting of the export market aligns with earlier confirmations of foreign cooperation on the aircraft’s development. Dmitry Pantus, head of the State Authority for Military Industry of Belarus, had previously announced that Minsk and Moscow were jointly exploring the creation of the fifth-generation stealth jet.

Pantus stated that Belarusian defense industries were working closely with Rosoboronexport and the United Aircraft Corporation to continuously broaden their partnership in aircraft manufacturing, specifically regarding the Su-75 Checkmate project.

Protect Ukrainian Skies

Subscribe to Sky Defense