Russian single-engine, stealth fighter aircraft, Su-75 Checkmate, will soon begin bench tests, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov said during the ongoing Dubai Airshow.
“Developing a new aircraft requires a considerable amount of time, on average, 10 to 15 years. Ours is already practically at the flight stage,” he said, clarifying that it will soon transition to bench testing.
Chemezov added that Rostec continues work on the aircraft, believing “it will be in demand. It is cheaper, with a single engine, and I think its weaponry will be sufficient to handle everything necessary, both for destroying aerial and ground targets. In terms of efficiency, price, and quality, I think it will be quite good.”
What began as a bold unveiling at the 2021 MAKS Airshow has been delayed by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Now, with bench tests likely and a maiden flight slated for 2026, Russia is keen to position the Checkmate as an affordable, export-friendly rival to the F-35 Lightning II.
India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had earlier reaffirmed its deep comfort and long-standing partnership with Russian aerospace firms, signaling openness to new joint fighter-jet projects.
Speaking to TASS, a senior HAL official had said, We are very comfortable working with Russia. There are no issues from our side. The relationship between India and Russia is extremely strong, built on decades of successful co-production of iconic aircraft like the MiG-21 and Su-30MKI.
Su-57 or S-75?
Amid President Vladimir Putin’s anticipated visit to India, Moscow has significantly upgraded its proposal for the fifth-generation Su-57 jets for the IAF.
At the Dubai Airshow 2025, a top Rosoboronexport official stated: “We are ready not only to supply Su-57 aircraft from Russia but also to establish full licensed production in India, including complete transfer of technology — engines, fifth-generation manufacturing know-how, avionics, and everything else required.”
Russia had earlier emphasized that India’s existing Su-30MKI production lines at HAL Nashik could be rapidly adapted for Su-57 assembly and eventual indigenous manufacturing — a move that would entirely bypass the risks posed by Western sanctions.
Despite the Russian overtures, the Indian Air Force recently recommended that the Ministry of Defence scrap the long-pending 114-aircraft Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender and instead procure “Made-in-India” Dassault Rafale jets through a direct government-to-government deal with France.
This may not be the end of the Russian stealth aircraft dream for India.
Retired IAF Squadron Leader and respected defense analyst Vijainder K. Thakur suggests the renewed Russian outreach may go beyond the Su-57 and quietly include the single-engine Su-75 Checkmate.
While past India-Russia collaboration focused on licensed assembly (MiG-21, MiG-27, Su-30MKI), true joint development — with Indian intellectual property rights — has never been attempted,” Thakur said.
Joint development changes everything: it delivers genuine ownership, shields the program from U.S.-led sanctions (CAATSA or otherwise), and aligns perfectly with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
He pointed out that Russia has repeatedly stated its willingness to set up Su-75 production in a partner country, and India would be the most logical choice.
Local production of the Su-75 would not only close India’s looming fifth-generation gap at an affordable price but could generate billions in export revenue, just as BrahMos has done.
And unlike the twin-engine AMCA under development, the single-engine Su-75 serves a completely different light/medium tactical role — the two programs would complement, not compete with, each other, he noted.
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As Putin’s visit approaches, New Delhi faces a strategic decision:
- Stick with the familiar but expensive Rafale route,
- Accept Russia’s sanction-proof, full-tech-transfer Su-57 offer,
- Or co-develop the Su-75 aircraft and export it to the world (the BrahMos route)
Meanwhile, apart from India, Russia could even build the Su-75 jets jointly with Belarus, according to Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev. Whether Belarus can really finance the stealth fighter program remains a big question.
All eyes would be on the Modi-Putin summit, where some big-ticket deals are anticipated to be signed.
By ET Desk with Inputs from Tass News Agency
