When attention was focused on the tensions between America and Turkey over the F-35 fighter jet deal, the Russian military industry put the final touches on announcing the unveiling of a new fighter called "Check Mat", as a symbolic sign of its superiority over its Western counterparts.

The Sukhoi 75 (Check-Mat) is a five-generation, single-engine stealth fighter, designed by the Sukhoi Corporation, which was merged with other companies into the United Aircraft Corporation in 2006.

The fighter plane provides high performance and low operating costs per hour, and its price may be 3 times lower than the F-35.

Checkmate is a situation in chess in which the king is in danger, and there is no way to remove the threat, which ends the game with the superiority of the party that will take the opponent's king.

The phrase is used in daily life to denote the end of the matter and the absence of any maneuver to get rid of the predicament in which one finds himself.

A model of the aircraft was unveiled at the "MAX" Air Show in Moscow in 2021 in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and its first international presentation appeared at the Dubai Airshow in the same year.

The date of the first operation of this combat aircraft was set in 2023, while there were reports of delaying this to 2024.

On November 14, 2021, it was reported that the production of several prototypes of the "Kesh Mat" fighter had begun at the factory that produced the Sukhoi-57.

On August 16, 2022, United Aircraft Corporation reported that it plans to build 4 prototypes, with flight tests taking place as early as 2024.

The first flight of the Sukhoi-75 is expected to begin in 2023 after the completion of a series of ground tests.

Design and Features

Experts reported that the design of the aircraft was based on modern numerical calculations using a supercomputer, which reduced the time for testing and design to 5 years.

The designers used the scientific and technical basis that was used in the development of the Sukhoi 57E fighter, in addition to the systems in the cockpit.

The aircraft is 17.5 meters long, with a wingspan of 11.8 meters, and the fifth generation equipment for the fighter pilot is designed on board the plane with high immunity against noise.

Display of the Sukhoi 75 (checkmate) at the Dubai Air Show (French)

The plane can take off from airports located in high places amid difficult terrain, and can fly in any climatic condition.

The airframe design allows for easier maintenance of the aircraft, and requires fewer personnel for maintenance procedures, which is expected to enhance the aircraft's combat readiness.

The plane will be available for sale in a basic version with one place for the fighter, in addition to a two-seater version, and even versions of the drone.

combat characteristics

The "CheckMat" aircraft can carry weapons to neutralize enemy command positions by targeting vital areas, and it contains 5 hidden weapon slots and 11 external weapon suspension points, and its combat payload is more than 7 tons.

The combat aircraft can use air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, and will be able to hit several targets simultaneously.

The aircraft is expected to launch guided and unguided weapons, and it is able to work in tandem with drones, as it will have the ability to control small drones, and receive real-time information about the combat situation via instantaneous transmission and response technologies.

The Sukhoi-75 is equipped with an advanced multi-band detection system to neutralize the target undetected, and the fighter also contains an active radar to track targets, even in areas where electronic interference is severe.

The aircraft's radar allows to attack up to 6 air targets simultaneously, track up to 30 targets, and is equipped with an optical electronic vision system that can identify air and ground targets.

As for the speed of the fighter, it reaches Mach 1.8 (2205 km / h), and it can fly for a distance of more than 2,800 km without an additional fuel tank.

Sukhoi 75 (Check Mat) can fly more than 2,800 km without an additional fuel tank (French)

The price of the plane and the candidate countries to acquire it

According to the preliminary plans of the Russian United Aircraft Corporation, the initial deliveries are expected to be in the period between 2026 and 2027.

Production is expected to reach 300 aircraft over 15 years.

According to the CEO of United Aircraft Corporation Sergey Chemezov, the cost of the Sukhoi-75 (checkmat) is expected to be between 25 and 30 million dollars.

However, this timetable may be delayed due to Western sanctions imposed on Russia, as the development of the aircraft may be delayed due to the difficulty of Russia acquiring semiconductors and high-tech manufacturing equipment from the European Union.

Potential export sales have also been halted because Russia cannot trade using US dollars.

According to the manufacturer of the Sukhoi-75 fighter, Argentina, India and Vietnam may be the most prominent countries that will acquire it.