There are"questions" about the Russian light tactical aircraft (LTS), known as Checkmate ("Checkmate") and the Su-75, writes the American edition of Breaking Defense.
The publication claims that the LTS appeared as a profitable alternative to the JAS 39 Gripen, F-35 Lightning II and J-35 aircraft. "But there are serious questions that need to be answered both regarding the marketing strategy and the technical capabilities of the aircraft, which together can add the Su-75 to the long list of military aviation programs that have not been implemented in export deliveries," the newspaper writes.
Breaking Defense draws parallels with the Su-57, the development of which assumed receiving foreign orders, in particular, from India and the UAE. The publication admits that foreign customers may not agree to purchase the Su-75 until Russia itself begins to operate it.
"There are at least two years left before the first flight of the new prototype. The serial version will be released in five to seven years. And the countries that are considered the most promising for selling abroad may not be able to wait so long, " the publication says.
The publication admits that the Russian industry will not be able to produce the Su-75 with the characteristics claimed by its developers. In particular, Breaking Defense writes that Russian manufacturers of composite materials lag behind Western ones. The publication also recalls the delay in the development of the second-stage engine for the Su-57 and claims that Russian radars with an active phased array antenna are too expensive.
"Therefore, there are grounds to assume that the full-scale production of the Su-75 may take much longer, if it ever starts at all," the publication says.
In July, Rostec presented the LTS at the International Aviation and Space Salon 2021 (MAKS-21). According to the head of the state corporation Sergey Chemezov, a single-engine tactical fighter, the model of which was presented at MAKS-2021, will cost from 25 to 30 million dollars. According to the head of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Yuri Slyusar, the aircraft shown at the salon is a sample that will fly in 2023.
In July, Breaking Defense wrote that the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) has taken another step towards eliminating the latest advantages of the US Navy by receiving a new carrier-based stealth fighter known as the J-35. The publication recalled that the J-35, formerly known as the J-31, resembles the American fifth-generation fighter F-35 Lightning II in appearance, differing from the latter by having two engines instead of one. Breaking Defense noted that the first versions of the J-31 received Russian powertrains.
Ivan Potapov
