Summary: Russia's ambition to expand its presence in the fifth-generation fighter jet market has been complicated by its ongoing military engagement in Ukraine and associated resource constraints. The Su-57 "Felon" remains Russia's only operational fifth-gen fighter, with limited numbers and notable absence from combat in Ukraine. That means Russia's Su-75 Checkmate is still struggling to gain any traction. 

-Meanwhile, the development of a newer model, the Su-75 "Checkmate," faces delays and financial challenges. Unveiled at the 2021 MAKS air show, the Checkmate is intended as a cost-effective lightweight fighter, priced significantly lower than its American counterpart, the F-35.

-Despite its advanced features, including supersonic speeds and modern avionics, Russia struggles to secure foreign buyers or partners for the Checkmate, with potential deals with the UAE and India falling through. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine further strains Russia's capacity to meet its ambitious production targets for the Checkmate and other advanced military technologies.

Su-75 Checkmate: Russia's Struggle to Compete in the Global Stealth Fighter Market

Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, it has lost a steady flood of weapons systems. But it is not only Russia’s existing stocks of airframes, main battle tanks, and infantry fighting vehicles that have suffered. The Kremlin’s goal to become a leading supplier of fifth-generation fighter jets has also been hit hard. 

Moscow’s sole operational fifth-gen platform remains the Su-57 “Felon.” Only a handful of these airframes have been introduced to service, and their absence from combat in Ukraine is noteworthy. 

Russia hopes to produce a second fifth-gen platform over the next few years – the Su-75 “Checkmate.” Budgetary issues and other developmental problems mean there is little chance this platform develops according to plan.

Introducing the Su-75 Checkmate

The Checkmate was officially debuted at the 2021 MAKS air show as Russia’s upcoming Light Tactical Aircraft. The Su-75 was supposed to embark on its maiden flight in 2023, but the timeline has continually shifted. 

Much of the Su-75’s appeal relates to its cost. The lightweight fifth-generation jet is billed at only $25 million to $30 million. The American-made F-35 Lightning II is around three times as expensive.

According to Russian state media, the Checkmate sports a typical fifth-generation design, with diverterless supersonic inlets, internal weapons bays, and radar-absorbent coating. The cockpit looks identical to the Su-57 Felon’s. Its avionics include an open architecture code and an active electronically scanned array radar. 

The Checkmate will reportedly be able to fly at speeds in excess of Mach 1.8, with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers. The same Saturn Izdeliye 30 engine that powers the Su-57M variant is expected to drive the Checkmate. This advanced engine is designed to be more effective than its predecessor, the AL-41F1, and has a much longer life span.  

Despite the Russian hype surrounding the upcoming Checkmate, the Kremlin has been unable to confirm foreign buyers. Tass reported earlier this year that “Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov also said that foreign customers were displaying their interest in the fighter. In his words, Russian engineers had made adjustments to the aircraft’s layout, control and armament systems on the basis of their feedback.” 

However, little progress is confirmed regarding partnerships or exports. Manufacturer Rostec held talks with UAE businesses in 2021, but Abu Dhabi pulled out of the program shortly after. The platform was presented at the Aero India 2023 International Air Show last year, but New Delhi, it seemed, had minimal interest in partnering with Moscow on the program.

As long as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine rages on, the Kremlin will be hard-pressed to achieve the production goals it has set for new military systems, including the Checkmate. 

About the Author: Maya Carlin 

Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. 

All images are from Russian State Media.