/ world today news/ The single-engine supersonic attack aircraft Checkmate (Su-75) became an unexpected guest at the Dubai Airshow-2023 exhibition, which opened on November 13. Until recently, it remained unclear whether it made sense to present an export-only military aircraft in a situation where its potential buyers could be subject to secondary sanctions.
The production of all other military aircraft that Russia will display in Dubai is ensured primarily by domestic orders.
Rostech explained the participation in the exhibition of commercial aircraft, announcing through the press service that the production plant begins to produce multi-role fighters of the fifth generation Checkmate, regardless of whether foreign orders have been received for this.
It became clear that the Ministry of Defense is now considering this aircraft not only as a commercial product, but it can also be used in the WHO area.
It is no coincidence that this time in Dubai, a model was no longer presented, as it was at MAX 2021 and Dubai Airshow 2021, but a prototype.
Checkmate is the first fifth-generation single-engine aircraft in Russia. It was developed by the Sukhoi company, which is part of the Rostec United Aircraft Corporation.
The characteristics of the machine include stealth and low cost per flight hour, but the aircraft can carry 7 tons of ammunition and develop a speed of Mach 1.8 with a combat range of 3 thousand kilometers.
During the first presentations in 2021, it was reported that mass production would begin in 2026, but now it seems very likely that the timing will move to the left. However, this must already be a military secret.
Ruslan Pukhov, director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies and publisher of the magazine “Arms Export”, told Svobodnaya Pressa about unexpected changes in the history of the flying military machine.
— This aircraft was originally developed as an export product. Our Ministry of Defense said there was no need for a single-engine aircraft,” recalls Ruslan Pukhov.
— And such planes are in great demand on the world market.
They can be a third cheaper than twin engines, but still have quite decent combat characteristics. An example of how willingly single-engine military aircraft are bought are the American F-16, the best-selling in the world, and the Pakistani JF-17.
The Pakistanis along with China made this aircraft for their Air Force and are now exporting it. It is important that the engine is Russian-made – RD-93 (a modification of the RD-33 installed on the MiG-29).
“And they usually fly on the same Russian engine, no one complains, no matter what they say about the lack of reliability of ours compared to the American ones,” emphasizes the expert.
According to Pukhov, it was the experience with the Pakistani JF-17 that made the Russian military leadership believe that a single-engine aircraft was not so bad.
“Furthermore, the claims that the Russian Air Force and Aerospace Forces only need twin-engine vehicles were statements made in peacetime, when we have not suffered combat losses,” the specialist said.
“And now there is a protracted armed conflict and we, unfortunately, are also suffering losses in it. And it’s just that more warplanes are required in wartime than in peacetime,” he said.
“Therefore, it is time to master the production of an aircraft that requires fewer engines and is itself produced cheaper and faster than twin engines,” the expert explained.
“In addition, the Su-75 Shahat is well unified with the fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft already in production, which accelerates the introduction of the new aircraft.”
Ruslan Pukhov also talked about the possibility of Checkmate operating in unmanned mode.
— This aircraft was originally designed as an unmanned precision weapons carrier. Then it was decided to create three versions: unmanned, and also with one pilot or a crew of two people,” says the weapons expert.
— Obviously, the single-seater version is taken as a basis, which can also be used in unmanned mode.
Specifically, Checkmate can work in tandem with a manned Su-57, be controlled from the ground, or operate according to a preset program that is adjusted according to the situation by artificial intelligence.
At the opening of the Dubai Airshow-2023 exhibition, the Russian delegation was led by the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov and the CEO of Rostech Sergey Chemezov.
As the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters, Russian aircraft are of great interest, especially in India and Vietnam, and Chemezov added that Russian specialized helicopters are in the most stable demand on the world market: Mi-171A3 – for servicing offshore drilling platforms, which have water landing capability and sanitary Ansat designed for emergency evacuation of sick and injured people.
Special interest was caused by the Ka-32A11M firefighter presented for the first time with a water cannon, capable of extinguishing fires on the top floors of skyscrapers.
And at the Checkmate stand and near the Il-76MD-90A (E) heavy transport there were primarily representatives of the United States.
Translation: SM
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