Key Points and Summary – A viral photo allegedly taken at Russia’s Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant shows the Su-75 “Checkmate” prototype beside a Su-57 “Felon,” hinting that Moscow still intends a two-tier stealth fleet: a heavier Su-57 and a cheaper, export-oriented Su-75.
-Russia claims that roughly two dozen Su-57s are in limited service, while the Su-75 is marketed for under $30 million, featuring shared sensors and a new engine, with flight tests likely planned for 2026.
-Prospects include Iran, Algeria, and Vietnam.
-But sanctions, material shortages, and funding pressures loom large. The image projects momentum; the real challenge is proving an airworthy Su-75 and delivering it at scale and on schedule.
Russia’s Imperiled Su-75 ‘Checkmate’ Jet Spotted in Siberia
A freshly surfaced image of Russia’s Su-75 “Checkmate” beside the bigger Su-57 “Felon” has sparked debate over Moscow’s stealth fighter plans amidst its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The photograph was reportedly snapped on the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant in Siberia.
This appears to mark the first verified instance of these fifth-generation fighters seen as a pair, aside from their previous appearances at trade shows, when the Su-75 was just a wooden mockup.
The image, which went viral on October 2, depicts the single-engine Su-75 prototype beside the much larger twin-engine Su-57.
Despite war-related economic strain and Western export restrictions, it would certainly seem that Russia remains intent on advancing numerous stealth platforms in parallel.
There is no suggestion that this image did not come from sources connected to the Russian state, and could therefore be a deliberate attempt by Moscow to project power.
In 2020, the Russian Aerospace Forces began using Su-57s in a limited capacity.
These fighter jets’ access to Mach-2 speeds and ability to carry hypersonic weapons allows them to achieve air superiority and deep-strikes behind enemy lines.
Its radar cross-section is reportedly under one square metre. While production has been delayed due to materials and engine bottlenecks, some 22 of these jets are thought to be operational.
Su-75 Details
Initially unveiled in 2021, the smaller Su-75 is designed to aid this fleet in a similar manner to how Washington partners F-22 Raptors with its F-35s.
Marketed as an export-friendly stealth jet with a projected cost under $30 million, roughly half that of the Su-57.
The Checkmate targets customers unable to access Western aircraft due to cost or sanctions. According to the Defence Security Asia website, Iran, Algeria, and Vietnam are thought to be among potential buyers.
The Su-75 will likely have a similar sensor suite and avionics with the Su-57. This is expected to include AI-assisted targeting systems and AESA radar, and will be powered by a newer and lighter successor to the “Product 30” engine.
Su-75: Flying Next Year?
Russian state media reports that early 2026 could mark the start of flight tests, but supply-chain issues and funding limitations could easily imperil this ambition.
For Russia, success would mean more than just more revenue. A functioning Su-75 program could aid its position as the world’s only producer of both heavy and light fifth-generation stealth fighters.
These could act as both a counterweight to the United States and a diplomatic tool for courting partners at odds with NATO suppliers.
However, huge questions remain. Can Moscow really continue this complex engineering project under the weight of hefty sanctions that could soon become even harsher? And will foreign clients risk investing in Russian platforms if bottlenecks impact delivery schedules?
About the Author: Georgia Gilholy
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education. You can follow her on X: @llggeorgia.
More Military
Russia’s ‘New’ Su-75 Checkmate Stealth Fighter Could Soon Be In the Air
China’s New Aircraft Carriers Have 1 Big Advantage over the U.S. Navy
Russia’s Airspace Provocations Are a Tell — And a Weakness
USS Parche: A U.S. Navy Nuclear Spy Submarine That Had Its Own Self-Destruct Mode
How a ‘Cheap and Tiny’ Submarine ‘Sank’ a $4,500,000,000 Nuclear Navy Aircraft Carrier
