Officially unveiled at the 2021 edition of the MAKS Air Show, the Sukhoi Su-75 fifth-generation stealth fighter is one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by Russia’s aerospace complex. Conceived as a complement to the Su-57—mirroring the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II pairing of the U.S. Air Force—its development is also aimed at the export market. However, since its presentation at MAKS 2021 and despite several subsequent announcements in 2022, few official updates have been reported on the program. For this reason, recent statements from the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) suggest that the first prototypes of the stealth aircraft are currently under construction.
The information began circulating following a recent broadcast by the Russian television channel Rossiya-1, which featured an interview with E. Korshikov, Deputy General Director of KnAAPO (Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Production Plant), on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Su-27. In the interview, he stated regarding ongoing programs: “We are already in serial production of the fifth-generation aircraft, mainly for the Ministry of Defense. And we have already started manufacturing prototypes of the light tactical aircraft (Su-75) based on the Su-57.”
Although no further details were provided, Korshikov’s remarks help shed light on the Su-75 “Checkmate” program, indicating that the new fifth-generation fighter is being built at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Production Plant—the same facility responsible for manufacturing the Sukhoi Su-35S and Su-57 Felon fighters. Moreover, the production of the Su-75, even if limited to its first prototypes, marks the return of the Russian aerospace industry to single-engine aircraft design after more than three decades, the last example being the MiG-23 Flogger.
As of today, neither the Russian Ministry of Defense nor the United Aircraft Corporation, to which KnAAPO belongs, have issued official statements on the matter. Nevertheless, one of the latest updates to the development schedule—revised several times—indicated that 2026 would mark the start of aircraft production, now confirmed to involve the first prototypes of the fifth-generation fighter, with flight testing projected to begin in 2027.
Beyond these statements, Russia’s aerospace industry has so far managed to withstand the wave of Western sanctions, which were expected to impact combat aircraft production. According to official reports, UAC continues delivering various aircraft types, such as the aforementioned Su-35S fighters and Su-34 fighter-bombers, albeit not in volumes comparable to those of the U.S. and Chinese aerospace industries.
To cite the Asian giant as an example, China has already begun producing and inducting the new Shenyang J-35, destined for both the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and Navy, and has even recorded its first confirmed export orders from third countries, such as Pakistan. This is a significant point, as the future Su-75—should it advance to production—will have to compete in the export market with both the Chinese model and the U.S. F-35, of which over a thousand units have already been produced to date.
Images used for illustrative purposes only.
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