The Russian Su-75 Checkmate could become the most affordable fifth-generation fighter on the global market if the project reaches mass production. This conclusion was reached by Defence Security Asia, comparing the stated cost of the prospective Russian aircraft with the price of the American F-35 Lightning II.

The authors of the publication note that price is precisely the main factor that could allow the Su-75 to attract the attention of potential buyers. According to estimates previously voiced by representatives of the Russian industry, the export version of the Checkmate could cost around $25–30 million per aircraft. For comparison, the average cost of an F-35A today exceeds $80 million.

The price difference, according to the publication, seems so significant that it makes the Russian development potentially attractive to states that want to acquire a fighter with elements of fifth-generation technology but are not willing to spend money on purchasing American aircraft.

At the same time, the publication emphasizes that a lower cost does not automatically mean superiority over the F-35. The American aircraft is already in mass production, is operated in several dozen countries, and has a developed maintenance infrastructure, a pilot training system, and confirmed capabilities in real-world operation.

The Su-75, on the other hand, remains a project that has not yet reached the stage of full-scale mass production. Despite statements about the imminent start of tests and the construction of a flight prototype, the aircraft still needs to confirm its stated characteristics and attract initial customers.

Ultimately, the publication concluded that the competition between the two aircraft will be built not so much around technological superiority as around the ratio of price and capabilities. The F-35 retains an advantage due to the maturity of the program and accumulated operational experience, while the main argument for the Su-75 remains the promise to offer a fifth-generation fighter at a price unattainable for most Western counterparts.

Earlier, "Perviy Tekhnicheskiy" reported that the prospective fifth-generation fighter Su-75 Checkmate is being developed with both the Russian market and foreign buyers in mind. At the same time, one of the key requirements from the Russian Ministry of Defence remains to reduce the cost of the aircraft.