The global fighter jet scene has a new contender in town, and it’s painted with Russian stealth. Nicknamed “Checkmate,” Russia’s Su-75 fighter jet is designed to directly rival America’s F-35 Lightning II, the crown jewel of Western stealth aviation. With Moscow’s flashy unveilings and equally ambitious marketing, the Su-75 is positioning itself as a cheaper, possibly more agile alternative to the F-35. But is it really a game-changer or just a high-tech bluff? Here are 12 key facts you need to know.
1. The Su-75’s Stealth Shape Looks Strikingly Similar to the F-35 – And That’s No Accident
The resemblance between the Su-75 and the F-35 isn’t just coincidence or copying – it’s the result of similar design requirements. Both jets adopt stealth-friendly contours with split-angled tail fins, a single-engine layout, and broad delta wings shaped for reduced radar cross-section. The Checkmate even has a chin-style air intake tucked beneath the fuselage – a design element reminiscent of Western stealth tactics. Stealth aircraft have to play by the rules of physics, and this is what aerodynamic efficiency under stealth constraints looks like.
2. It’s Designed for Export – and That’s a Huge Part of the Strategy
Russia isn’t just building this jet for itself. The Checkmate was unveiled with an international market in mind, especially countries that can’t afford the sky-high cost of the F-35. Potential customers include India, Vietnam, Argentina, and the UAE. To sweeten the deal, Russia is offering the Checkmate at a fraction of the F-35’s price – about $25 to $30 million per unit compared to roughly $78 million for an F-35A. That dramatic cost difference could attract buyers who want stealth but don’t have a Pentagon-sized defense budget.
3. It Has an Impressive Projected Range That Could Outfly the F-35
The Su-75 boasts a reported combat radius of 930 miles (about 1,500 kilometers), which is roughly 250 miles further than what the F-35 typically achieves without additional fuel tanks. That extra reach means the Checkmate could strike deeper or loiter longer without needing aerial refueling. And here’s the kicker: the Su-75 maintains its stealth profile while doing it, unlike the F-35, which sacrifices stealth when it mounts external fuel tanks. If this holds true in practice, the range advantage alone could make the Checkmate very attractive on the global market.
4. It’s Supposed to Reach Mach 1.8 Without Afterburners
On paper, the Su-75 is capable of supersonic flight without using afterburners – a feature known as “supercruise.” This allows the jet to cruise at high speeds without guzzling fuel or lighting up the radar signature like an afterburner would. If achieved, this would give the Checkmate a major tactical advantage in stealth missions. It’s powered by a derivative of the same engine used in the twin-engine Su-57, suggesting robust thrust and maneuverability are part of the package.
5. The Internal Weapons Bay is Built for Versatility and Stealth
The Su-75 carries its primary armament inside the fuselage to maintain stealth. The internal bays house two short-range air-to-air missiles on the sides and up to three longer-range missiles below. It also has room for guided bombs, anti-ship missiles, and even unguided rockets. For missions where stealth isn’t a priority, the Checkmate can carry ordnance on external pylons as well. This hybrid approach – internal stealth and external brute force – lets it adapt to a wide range of mission profiles.
6. The Jet’s AI Capabilities Are Still Murky, But Ambitious
One of the most futuristic claims about the Checkmate is its use of artificial intelligence. While exact details are still vague, the AI is expected to assist in logistics, pilot assistance, and possibly even allow voice-command features. Rostec, the manufacturer, has floated the idea of both a two-seat version and a fully unmanned version in the future. That opens the door to drone-like autonomy, swarming tactics, or AI copilots helping in high-stress missions. How real is this? That remains to be seen – but it’s clear Russia wants this to be a forward-looking platform.
7. The Su-75 Will Use a Modern Logistics and Maintenance System Called “Matreshka”
The Checkmate isn’t just about performance in the air – it’s also designed to be easier to maintain on the ground. The onboard logistics and diagnostics system, codenamed “Matreshka,” is expected to provide real-time maintenance updates and predictive analytics. This mirrors the F-35’s Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS), which has been both a breakthrough and a headache for Lockheed Martin. If Matreshka can simplify ground support while staying reliable, it would help reduce the total lifecycle cost of the jet – another major selling point for budget-conscious countries.
8. Its Mockup Debut Was a Showy, Loud, Very Russian PR Moment
When Russia unveiled the Checkmate at the 2021 MAKS Air Show, it wasn’t a quiet reveal. With lights, music, and a full-blown international marketing campaign – including a teaser video showing pilots from various countries – the launch was more of a spectacle than a briefing. The whole point was clear: this is a jet designed to sell. And while the prototype was only a mock-up, with some experts noting the absence of wiring or hydraulic lines, the buzz it created was exactly what Rostec wanted.
9. A Single Engine Makes It Cheaper – But There Are Tradeoffs
Unlike the F-22 or Su-57, the Su-75 uses just one engine. That means less fuel consumption, lower maintenance costs, and a lighter airframe. But it also means less redundancy. In combat, if your single engine fails, you’re done. Still, for many nations looking to stretch their defense dollars, this is an acceptable tradeoff. Fewer moving parts also typically mean fewer things to break, which could appeal to countries without large, sophisticated air maintenance infrastructure.
10. It’s Not Ready Yet – But the Timeline Is Surprisingly Aggressive
Rostec has boldly stated that the Checkmate would fly by 2023 and begin deliveries by 2027. That’s lightning-fast in the world of modern fighter jets, where development timelines often stretch into decades. For comparison, the F-35 took nearly 20 years to go from concept to full production. It’s unclear whether Russia’s timeline is realistic, but if they pull it off, it could shake up the current Western-dominated fighter market.
11. The Name “Checkmate” Isn’t Just for Branding – It’s a Psychological Play
Russia’s use of the term “Checkmate” isn’t subtle – it’s a direct challenge to Western airpower dominance. In chess, a checkmate ends the game decisively. Naming a stealth fighter after that final move is about projecting confidence, strategy, and inevitability. It’s also a reminder that Russia – despite economic and technological hurdles – isn’t backing down from global defense competition. Whether it lives up to the name or not, it’s already winning the mind games.
12. The F-35’s Problems Make the Checkmate Look Even More Promising
The F-35, for all its sophistication, is plagued with issues. From software bugs and maintenance nightmares to reliability concerns, it’s been a troubled program. Heat damage to rotor blades, cockpit canopy delamination, and touchscreen failures during combat simulations are just a few problems in a long list. So when Russia offers a jet with fewer bells and whistles but more reliability and a significantly lower price tag, it becomes more than a gimmick – it becomes a practical alternative. If the Checkmate lives up to even half of its promises, it will look very appealing next to the over-budget, underperforming F-35.
All Eyes on the Checkmate
Russia’s Su-75 Checkmate may still be in the prototype phase, but it’s got everyone’s attention. With affordability, stealth, flexibility, and global sales in mind, it could become a serious contender on the world stage – especially if it can actually deliver on its lofty promises. Whether it’s a genuine checkmate or just another pawn in the geopolitical game, only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the board has been reset, and the game is on.
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.