Russia’s Su-75 Checkmate Hasn’t Left the Ground—Yet
Even setting aside the challenges posed by the Ukraine conflict, the Su-75 faces significant obstacles.
Russia’s next fifth-generation warplane, the Su-75 “Checkmate,” is a single-engine, stealth-oriented fighter that incorporates several innovative design features. It boasts a diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI), a mechanically simple air intake system first seen in the Boeing X-32, which reduces costs compared to most complex designs, like those of the Su-27 or F-15, too.
The plane was first unveiled by Russia’s legendary Sukhoi Design Bureau in July 2021 at the MAKS air show—and represents an ambitious attempt to carve out a niche in the global fighter jet market.
The Checkmate’s Specifications
The Su-75 is another example of how Russia is expanding their capabilities on constrained budgets. The warplane features a V-tail with ruddervators—combined control surfaces that manage both pitch and yaw—similar to the Northrop YF-23 that the Air Force passed on in favor of the F-22 Raptor. These surfaces are inherently unstable, requiring advanced flight-control systems to keep the plane steady—but they are lighter, decrease drag, and have lower radar observability than traditional tails.
The plane’s stealth characteristics are enhanced by internal weapons bays and a contoured airframe intended to minimize cross-section, though the extent of its stealth capability remains a hotly debated topic among military analysts.
As for the Su-75’s performance, the warplane is designed to reach speeds of Mach 1.8, possibly Mach 2.0, with a range of approximately 1,864 miles. It has a payload carrying capacity of 16,134 pounds. The Su-75 comes equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, enabling it to track up to 30 targets and engage six simultaneously, alongside advanced avionics.
An artificial intelligence-enabled “Matryoska” system is intended to act as a co-pilot, reducing pilot workload while in flight. There are other Su-75 variants planned, including a two-seater version and even an entirely unmanned variant. Indeed, the unmanned system could be the basis of a Russian “Loyal Wingman” program.
Moscow has billed the Su-75 as a cost-effective alternative to high-end fifth-generation warplanes like the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, which carries a price tag exceeding $100 million per unit. Priced at an estimated $25-$35 million, the Su-75 is meant to attract export customers in emerging economies across Asia, Africa, and South America—markets where affordability often trumps cutting-edge capability.
But the Su-75 Still Hasn’t Flown
Rostec, the Russian state-owned corporation overseeing Sukhoi, has targeted countries like India, Vietnam, Argentina, and several African states, projecting a demand for 300 units over 15 years. The aircraft’s multi-role potential, encompassing air superiority, ground attack, and electronic warfare, further enhances its appeal to smaller air forces seeking more versatile, albeit affordable, systems.
The Su-75 is designed as a complement to the Su-57 Felon, mirroring the historical pairing of the MiG-29 Fulcrum and the Su-27 Flanker.
By sharing components and avionics with the Su-57, Russia’s other fifth-generation warplane, Sukhoi hopes to reduce development and production costs, though this strategy hinges on the Su-57 program’s own delayed progress. However, that progress has been delayed by the demands of the more pressing Ukraine War—forcing Rostec to prioritize development of existing planes rather than working on a new one.
Even setting aside the challenges posed by the Ukraine conflict, the Su-75 faces significant obstacles. The aircraft’s maiden flight, initially slated for 2023, was postponed repeatedly—first to 2024 and then to 2025. Initial deliveries are projected for 2026-27. These delays stem partly from design revisions—notably including changes to the tail and wing configurations revealed in 2023 patents, reflecting Sukhoi’s efforts to refine the aircraft using supercomputer-driven digital design techniques.
But the ongoing Ukraine War has strained Russia’s defense industry in terms of the systems it can develop. And although Western sanctions have done little to disrupt the core functions of Russia’s defense-industrial base, they have led to supply problems with critical components for the Checkmate such as semiconductors and high-end machining equipment. At the same time, the loss of funding from potential buyers—notably the the United Arab Emirates, which expressed interest in the Su-75 but then opted instead for the F-35—has left the program reliant on Rostec’s limited resources.
And the war has fundamentally redirected Moscow’s priorities toward immediate battlefield needs, sidelining long-term technological projects like the Su-75 in favor of projects that can reliably deliver quick battlefield results for Russia.
Don’t Underestimate Russia
Nevertheless, the Russians have absorbed the initial impacts that the Western sanctions caused on their defense industrial base. Indeed, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted recently that Russia could produce as much materiel in three months as all of NATO put together—from Los Angeles to Ankara—in a full year.
With this in mind, one should be skeptical of Western analysts predicting the Checkmate’s demise. The program has certainly experienced setbacks, as has most of Russia since it invaded Ukraine in 2022. But the Russians have adapted. It is now only a matter of time before they eventually field the Su-75 alongside the Su-57.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Aerospace Trek.