Russia may invite India in Su-75 ‘Checkmate’ project

Su-75 is based on Su-57 and receives several elements and solutions from the latter. Though SU-57 itself is not heavily in industrial production; there are nearly a dozen prototypes in operation.

New Delhi, Feb 10: Russian defence companies have always been major participants in the past Aero India shows. Every time these companies come they bring something exciting and new on the table. Following the same trend, The Republic reports that Russia has decided to pitch for its fifth-generation Light Tactical Fighter jet Su-57 at Aero India Show 2023. The Aero India show will be held in the coming weeks in Bangalore from February 13 to 17, 2023.

Not only that the Russian defence company Rostec Group may pitch for the much talked stealth fighter jet Su-57, the reports also claim that it will be looking for developing a partnership with India to join the Su-75 Checkmate project. As it appears, Russia has been seducing India to be a partner in its advanced 5th generation single-engine fighter jet development program; however, since India already has its own indigenous program it is not committing for the same.

Russia can't finance alone

The ambitious project from Russia to develop its Su-75 has several issues, one of them is lack of funding. The idea for a stealth multifunctional fighter jet, though conceived during the USSR era, has not been able to catch up as Russia does not have that required funding. Whereas the US has developed its fifth generation F35s, Russia is still struggling. With India, the fifth largest economy in the world as a partner, Russia thinks it can solve the funding issue.

Russian News agency TASS claims that the Russian government is not in mood to hold back itself from developing the stealth fighter despite all the economic sanctions and technology transfer restrictions imposed by the Western countries. Partnering with India could solve two problems, one the financing of the project and other the technology transfer.

5th generation multirole fighter

Su-75 is based on Su-57 and receives several elements and solutions from the latter. Needless to say, the SU-57 itself is not heavily in industrial production and there are a few prototypes, nearly a dozen in operation. Although some Su-57s were spotted in the Syria war, they have not been seen in combat operations in Ukraine.

Su-75 that Russia claims are an upgrade on the Su-57 were first presented at the Dubai Air Show 2021. It was expected that the UAE would become a partner in the development, as it wanted to own fifth generation fighters and the USA had rejected their buying offer for the F-35. However, now that the UAE has already bought Rafale fighters, it is no longer interested in Su-75. This is why Russia now wants someone like India.