AviationNews – Russia is set to begin assembly of its first Su-75 Checkmate prototype in 2025, according to its Minister of Industry and Trade. The move signals a key step in Russia’s ambitious plan to introduce a cost-effective, single-engine stealth fighter to the global market.
The announcement was made by Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade. The program is being led by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Production Plant, which is now preparing to build the initial samples. This timeline targets 2027 for the aircraft’s first flight tests, positioning the Su-75 as a direct, low-cost competitor to Western fifth-generation jets like the Lockheed Martin F-35A.
The Su-75 Checkmate is designed as a lightweight tactical aircraft. It boasts a projected top speed of up to Mach 2, a range of 2,800 km, and a significant payload capacity of 7,400 kg. Key features include internal weapons bays to reduce its radar signature and the ability to operate from short runways, enhancing its operational flexibility. Russia is marketing the jet at a unit price of approximately $30 million, far below the F-35A’s $80 million tag.
“Today, the design documentation has been handed over to the manufacturer, and preparations for the production of the first samples have begun,” said Denis Manturov. He noted that “based on the work performed, changes were made to the project, which adjusted the timing of the first flight.”
This program represents Russia’s strategic effort to capture a share of the fighter market from nations seeking advanced capabilities without the high cost of Western equivalents. However, the project’s ambitious claims and timelines are met with significant disbelief and skepticism from Western defense analysts, who question its claimed capabilities.
As Russia moves from design to physical assembly, the international defense community will be watching closely. The successful development of the Su-75 Checkmate could challenge the existing fighter market, but it must first overcome production hurdles and prove its stated capabilities.
