Russia is accelerating work on the new Su-75 fighter jet
Russia has announced that it has begun construction of the first flight prototype of the advanced Su-75 Checkmate fighter jet, which had long remained only at the design stage. The UAC corporation says the aircraft is being developed both for its own military and for export, but the timeline for its debut has been pushed back several times.
Russia has once again announced progress on the Su-75 Checkmate fighter project, which was presented several years ago as a cheaper alternative to Western combat aircraft. Now they report that construction of the first flight prototype has begun, although the project itself has been delayed multiple times and is still effectively in the development phase.
This was announced by the CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), who noted that the aircraft is being developed for two markets simultaneously—for the Russian Ministry of Defense and potential foreign buyers. According to him, one of the project’s main priorities is reducing the cost of the fighter’s production and operation.
UAC also emphasizes that a key feature of the Su-75 is its single-engine configuration, which is supposed to make the aircraft simpler and cheaper compared to twin-engine models. According to the developers, this is precisely what should become its main advantage in the export market, where competition with the American F-35 remains among the fiercest.
Russia claims that the export price of the aircraft could be around $30 million and also allows for the possibility of installing various components depending on the customer. However, these statements remain theoretical, as there is no actual serial production yet.
The Su-75 project was first unveiled in 2021 as a new-generation light multi-role fighter intended to be a response to Western designs. Since then, its launch date has been changed repeatedly—initially, 2023 was mentioned, then 2024, then 2025, and now 2026.
The developers have also announced the technical specifications of the future aircraft: maximum takeoff weight—about 26 tons, payload—up to 7,400 kilograms, speed—up to 2,200 km/h, and range—up to 2,800 kilometers. According to them, the armament will include a 30-mm automatic cannon and various types of missiles and bombs.
Despite the high-profile announcements, experts have repeatedly pointed out that the project currently exists more as a concept with a launch date that keeps getting pushed back, and the actual timeline for its entry into production remains uncertain. This is reported by Russian media.
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