Russia's Stealth Fighter Program Gains Traction Amid Wartime Pressure

Russia is using its presence at the Dubai Airshow to signal that the Su-75 Checkmate fighter program is nearing its first flight. The single-engine stealth aircraft is being touted as a cost-effective, export-ready platform aimed at countries seeking advanced capability without the higher price of other twin-engine fighters. Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov said the first prototype is ‘almost at the stage of flight testing,’ despite the program’s development being slowed by sanctions, supply challenges, and prioritizing existing combat fleets. The Su-75 is being displayed alongside the Su-57 in the Russian pavilion, and officials are framing the aircraft as a flexible, lower-cost fighter aimed at countries looking for advanced capability without the price of a heavyweight platform.