The first flight of the Russian fifth-generation light fighter Su-75 Checkmate has been postponed to 2026, partly due to Western sanctions. This statement was made by military expert Brandon J. Weichert in an article for The National Interest.
Su-75 is a single-engine multirole stealth fighter developed by the legendary Sukhoi Design Bureau. Russia positions it as a complement to the heavier twin-engine Su-57 fighter.
The project was first presented in 2021 at the International Aviation and Space Salon (MAKS) in Russia. The UAC said that the first flight of the Su-75 would take place in 2023, but it was postponed to 2025. Later, officials stated that the aircraft would be ready to take off by 2026.
Declared characteristics of the Su-75 Checkmate by UAC
- Maximum combat load — 7400 kg
- Flight range without external fuel tanks — 2900 km at speeds up to 1.8 Mach
- Armament — up to 5 air-to-air missiles, internal compartments can accommodate gun containers for destroying ground targets
- Crew — 1 person
Sanctions affected the production of the Su-75 Checkmate
In November, the head of the flight service of PJSC "Sukhoi Company" Sergey Bogdan stated that the Su-75 is in the workshop and is undergoing refinement. At the Dubai AirShow 2025, which took place in the UAE, Russia showed a model of the unmanned version of the Su-75.
If the program is successful, it will positively affect fighter procurement. The Su-75 may be purchased by countries that do not have access to Western aircraft. In addition, the unmanned version of Checkmate will be in demand in the future when the Air Force has units with mixed (manned/unmanned) platforms.
Weichert did not rule out that export deliveries of the Su-75 could be threatened by sanctions. However, Russia still has potential buyers in the countries of the Global South (developing countries of Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania) and in India.
Many of these countries prefer to do business with Russia because its weapons are effective and cheap. If sanctions are lifted, the Su-75 will be the first program to gain popularity.
Why is Russia taking so long to build the Su-75 Checkmate?
According to Weichert, the first flight of the Su-75 is "too optimistic." Therefore, the fighter is called a "showpiece exhibit," a "export adventure," he added.
The first flight of the Su-75 will not mean that the fighter is ready for mass production. Even if the aircraft takes to the air in 2026-2027, deliveries to other countries may begin years later.
