Russia sets Sukhoi Su-75 'Checkmate' maiden flight for early 2026 as prototype enters bench tests

Rostec says the Sukhoi Su-75 'Checkmate' prototype has entered bench testing and a maiden flight is scheduled for early 2026. The company says the jet is nearing flight, will be pitched to international buyers at the Dubai Airshow, and Russia is exploring joint production with Belarus.

Discovered 2025-11-19T00:19:41.537444-08:00 | 2025-11-19T00:19:41.537444-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The programme is moving from ground testing to flight trials with a maiden sortie targeted for early 2026, and Rostec plans to market the jet internationally at the Dubai Airshow — signalling Moscow's intent to export a new fifth-generation light fighter.
  • Talks on joint production with Belarus expand potential manufacturing and political support, which could affect production scale and basing decisions; Russia has continued to push new fighter deliveries even as it restructures supply chains (see recent Russian fighter deliveries: https://hype.aero/?story=884201b1-9404-454a-9e2b-41c644f967de).
  • Supply-chain and sanctions risks remain a constraint: a recent analysis highlights chokepoints that could disrupt Russian fighter production, a key factor for timelines and exportability (see the RUSI assessment of vulnerabilities: https://hype.aero/?story=ea00e1a6-fbf1-43ed-a1a0-f7d455b3d063).

Reported By

meta-defense.fr nationalsecurityjournal.org onalert.gr India Defense News AINonline Breaking Defense
Sources Tracked
15
First Seen
2025-11-19T00:19:41.537444-08:00
Latest Update
2025-11-21T09:09:13.487830-08:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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