The future of the fighter Su-75 Checkmate is uncertain, unable to meet the initially established expectations.
The Su-57 “Felon” and the Su-75 “Checkmate”: Contrasts in the war in Ukraine
Russia’s ambition to gain a foothold in the fifth-generation fighter market is collapsing under the pressure of unforgiving war and scarce resources. The destiny of Su-75 Checkmate, in an increasingly dark horizon, seems to be doomed. He Su-57 “Felon”, solitary and limited in production, flies through the Russian skies without having proven its worth on the battlefields of Ukraine. This glaring absence not only reveals serious operational and logistical deficiencies, but also raises deep doubts about the capacity of Russia to deploy advanced fighters effectively.
He Su-75 “Checkmate” has had a turbulent journey from the start. Unveiled with great fanfare at the 2017 Air Show MAKS 2021this fighter promised to be the light and economical star of the Russian arsenal, a tempting alternative to the expensive F-35 United States. However, persistent budgetary and development problems have left its future uncertain. The dates for its first flight, originally scheduled for 2023, have been repeatedly postponed, reflecting a chaotic and discouraging reality.
Despite its impressive specifications—supersonic speeds exceeding Mach 1.8, a range of up to 3,000 kilometers, and the advanced engine Saturn Izdeliye 30-, he Checkmate has struggled in vain to find foreign buyers or partners. Neither its bypass-free supersonic inlets, internal weapons compartments, nor radar-absorbing coating have been enough to close contracts. Even the cabin, identical to that of the Su-57and its advanced avionics with open architecture and active electronically scanned array radar have failed to dispel the doubts of potential buyers.
Funding problems and lack of international interest
Negotiations with potential buyers such as United Arab Emirates and India have been unsuccessful. In 2021, Rostec He spoke with Emirati companies, but Abu Dhabi withdrew from the program. In it Aero India International Show 2023, New Delhi showed little interest in partnering with Moscow. The Kremlin’s inability to secure foreign buyers becomes a death sentence for the project.
Since the invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, Russia has seen its inventory of weapons systems bleed. Airframes, battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles have decreased dramatically. The invasion has exacerbated financial and logistical difficulties, making ambitious production goals for the Checkmate and other advanced military technologies.
He Su-75 CheckmateIn theory, it represented a technological and strategic leap for Russia. However, the financial challenges, the lack of foreign interest and the war context have turned it into a mere illusion. Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov’s optimistic statements about alleged foreign interest have not materialized into firm contracts.
Impact of the war in Ukraine on the development of Checkmate
The stark reality is that, as long as the invasion of Ukraine continues, the prospects for success for the Checkmate They will continue to be gloomy. He Su-75 Checkmate, conceived to be a light and economical fighter, has become the symbol of Russia’s frustrated aspirations. The combination of financial challenges, lack of interest from international buyers and the devastating impact of the war in Ukraine have sealed its fate.
The invasion of Ukraine has had a direct and devastating effect on the ability of Russia to continue developing the Su-75 Checkmate. Resources that could have been allocated to the research and development of this aircraft have been diverted towards the war effort, leaving the Checkmate without the necessary support to advance.
In summary, the Checkmate It is destined to remain a failed project, unable to fulfill the expectations and promises with which it was announced. The current circumstances have not only slowed its development, but have also questioned the ability of Russia to maintain a competitive presence in the fifth generation fighter market.
Conclusion: An ambitious project with an uncertain future
He Su-75 Checkmate It is a clear example of how technological ambitions can be truncated by geopolitical and economic realities. Despite its promising technical features, the project has been the victim of a series of setbacks that have hampered its progress.
The future of Checkmate It is in the hands of factors that are, for the most part, outside the control of its developers. As long as the war in Ukraine continues and financial problems persist, it is unlikely that we will see the Su-75 in action in the near future.
Ultimately, the Su-75 Checkmate serves as a reminder of the challenges nations face when trying to advance military technology in times of conflict. Although the potential is there, current circumstances have made its realization virtually impossible.
