The purchase of a Checkmate fighter jet for Russian troops may be included in the next weapons program, said Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov. According to him, the serial production of the fighter can be launched from 2026 if there is demand. The next state armament program will be drawn up for 2024–2033.
“In the plans of the future state program of weapons, they will consider the possibility of acquiring it,” said Mr. Borisov on the sidelines of the Tyumen Oil and Gas Forum (quoted by TASS). In his opinion, this is an important factor for the export potential, because foreign customers “are always interested in whether the native armed forces take the equipment they offer for export.”
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Ministry of Defense and the Russian Aerospace Forces are historically cautious about single-engine fighters, preferring “for reliability, twin-engine aircraft.” At the same time, he believes that single-engine fighters are quite widespread.
Flight tests are scheduled to begin in 2023. Mr. Borisov believes that mass production can be launched in 2025–2026. He called this timeline “quite realistic.” “Otherwise, we simply will not enter this market, where American and Chinese models are already present,” the Deputy Prime Minister added.
Checkmate was first introduced in July at the MAKS air show. It is assumed that he will be able to perform a long supersonic flight and attack up to six air, sea and ground targets. It is planned to release its unmanned version. On the domestic market, the fighter can be called the SU-75.
About MAKS-2021 – in the material of “Kommersant” “Maxianin”.
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