United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) will be introducing the SU-75 Checkmate Project at the Aero India 2025 exhibition, which will begin on February 10th. This was the first appearance of “aircraft” at this exhibition, and not just a protocol. event.
India is considered a potential buyer of the SU-75, according to some analysts in Russia and India, but New Delhi has not officially made such interests known.
Russia offers attractive India incentives, including technology transfer and the possibility of local production under the “make India” initiative. The SU-75 is seen as a potential alternative for India to counter China and Pakistan’s growing military capabilities.
However, the signal from New Delhi is not in favor of Russian manufacturers. India has repeatedly stated that it has its own similar program, Advanced Medium Fighter Aircraft (AMCA), and does not want a foreign alternative. This stance is not limited to Russia. The new Delhi also refused to potential acquisition of the F-35 from the US.
The UAC has announced that two prototypes of the aircraft are currently being constructed. One is for static testing, and the other is used for flight testing. According to a company representative, the SU-75 development program is nearing completion and production of the prototype is expected to begin soon. Some analysts have suggested that prototype production will begin next year.
The SU-75 Checkmate is Russia’s fifth-generation single-engine fighter project developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, first announced at the Maks-2021 Air Show. The aircraft is aimed at the export market and is positioned as a more affordable alternative to the American F-35. Official technical specifications are not available yet, but various Russian military analysts and experts have speculated about their capabilities and equipment.
The SU-75 is expected to become a stealth platform with significantly reduced radar signatures. The external design, featuring internal weapon bays and streamlined shapes, suggests the existence of a similar radar cross-section reduction technology to the SU-57. The materials and coatings may contain radar absorption composites, but their effectiveness remains unknown.
The engines that power the aircraft are also the subject of speculation. This could be a modified version of the “Izdeliye 30” (future engine of the SU-57).
The SU-75 cockpit may be equipped with a glass cockpit with several large multifunctional displays integrated into a state-of-the-art interface similar to the SU-57. Artificial intelligence is expected to support pilots by providing real-time tactical suggestions. The aircraft also has a helmet-mounted targeting system, perhaps similar to that used in modern western fighter jets.
Regarding avionics and electronic systems, the SU-75 is equipped with an active electronic scan array (AESA) radar as the primary sensor, allowing multiple targets to be detected and tracked simultaneously.
Electronic warfare (EW) systems are important for survival in modern combat scenarios and are expected to include jamming and deception techniques to counter enemy radars and missiles.
There is no confirmation as to whether it has an integrated electro-optic system for passive detection of enemy aircraft, but it is possible to use an improved version of the system developed for the SU-57.
The SU-75 is expected to have a significant combat burden, including air-to-air missiles (such as the R-77M and R-74) and weapons in precision guided air. Its armament could be stored primarily in internal bays due to low radar visibility, but if stealth is not preferred, external hardpoints may be available for additional payloads.
One of the main selling points of the SU-75 is its relatively low cost compared to its western counterparts. Manufacturers claim that aircraft are significantly cheaper than the F-35, while offering competitive features. This makes Checkmates particularly attractive to countries with limited defense budgets that cannot afford the most expensive fifth-generation fighter jets.
Russia is actively seeking international partners for the development and production of SU-75, with India, the United Arab Emirates and several Latin American countries being mentioned as potential customers. However, the programme faces multiple challenges, including Western sanctions that prevent access to critical components and uncertainty regarding the actual preparation of engines and avionics.
The first flight of the SU-75 was originally scheduled for 2023, but there were no official reports confirming that it was made. According to some Russian sources, the programme could be delayed due to financial and technical obstacles.
If everything goes along with the plan, cereal production could begin in the late 2020s, but this remains uncertain given the economic and geopolitical situation.
In summary, the SU-75 Checkmate is an ambitious project aimed at providing affordable, effective fifth-generation fighter jets for the international market. Although its technical properties remain speculative, this concept suggests modern stealth aircraft with advanced combat and navigation systems.
However, whether this project will be realized within the timeline where it was first published and will achieve the promised functionality remains a time-only question.
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