I agree with some essential parts to the article but it is so full of polemical language and even outright venom it is hard to take seriously. If caatsa wasn't a thing and Russia wasn't sanctioned into a corner than a lot of these projects would have much better chances internationally. As things stand I think s75 is not just viable but could be a cheaper pathway in developing more mature fifth gen technologies.

Also many mods and respected posters have lost serious credibility with the Ukraine conflict. I won't name names as some have already been called out here recently. It is as if many old guard defense insiders and bloggers have gone all in in some weird ideological struggle with Russia. Bizarre and foolish imo. The sanctimony and snark and toxicity is getting out of hand. I am just glad to see younger people coming here from outside the western and neolib/neocon geopolitical bubbles. I hope it might wake the youth here that you don't have to ascribe to the points of view as seen by many mods here.
Okay this is put in a way that I get. I don't support Putin at all, but that doesn't mean there should be hate for all Russians and their various things like I've seen on social media, and other places.
 
Why bother? Just another reputation bet.
If it won't fly, there's going to be a point.
If it will, we'll get another tarnish reputation.

It's time for this particular aircraft to fly.
Sukhoi maintains something like a new major product every 10 year cycle, and S-70 is almost there.
 

Trying to look at the article from a neutral position, some claims are reasonable and some aren't:

1. Russia is obviously struggling to field new systems. The USSR always had a more limited GDP and after the break-up of the USSR the situation is obviously more difficult for Russia, with the current war further draining resources (and limiting export opportunities to support the industrial base). So it is difficult to sustain an ability to field new systems in large numbers.

2. "Plasma stealth" claims were always closer to what you'd read in 'Popular Mechanics'. Judging the credibility of U.S. aerospace companies based on what is published in Popular Mechanics would be unreasonable.

3. Failure of the initial FGFA isn't that surprising, especially if one looks at the history of international joint-development projects (e.g. in Europe). It doesn't even necessarily reflect significantly on the design itself.

4. The failure to field a single engine type after the Mig-23/Su-17 is a conscious doctrinal decision. The proposals for single engine types were developed by industry (generally unsolicited). The question is whether VKS doctrine continues to forbid the use of single-engine types, not whether they could field one if they wanted to. The aversion to single-engine designs at a doctrinal level would seem to count against the success of the Su-75... but the fielding of the S-70 suggests that at least an unmanned CCA is a possibility.

5. Russia with its reduced economic base is very interested in finding export customers and regaining some prestige to support those exports. China has a huge economic base and GDP in comparison and is interested in creating deterrence through uncertainty (in a Cold War like situation). Neither is going to provide particularly accurate information about what is actually going on.

One could also question whether any modern fighter has been rolled out "at scale, on schedule, and without compromise" (at the author puts it).

So some of the observations (economic base, doctrinal aversion to single-engine designs) are fair, but a lot of the other observations could apply equally well to any other country.
 
Again, the same issue from a few weeks ago. What this obvious biased rubbish (posted by a moderator no less) contributes to this topic, other than baiting for clicks and a reaction here? I recall discussion a while back including Overscan concluded something to the effect that if an article starts with "Why ..."then it's not worth our time, unless someone posting such rubbish has an agenda.

If you wanted to post something meaningful here, would have been better served to have a look at what insiders say recently, my understanding is that they're thinking of the period from the end of 2026 to sometime during 2027 when we might see a major milestone for T-75, such as a first flight. So we'll see in a year or thereabouts who's right.
 
Again, the same issue from a few weeks ago. What this obvious biased rubbish (posted by a moderator no less) contributes to this topic, other than baiting for clicks and a reaction here? I recall discussion a while back including Overscan concluded something to the effect that if an article starts with "Why ..."then it's not worth our time, unless someone posting such rubbish has an agenda.

If you wanted to post something meaningful here, would have been better served to have a look at what insiders say recently, my understanding is that they're thinking of the period from the end of 2026 to sometime during 2027 when we might see a major milestone for T-75, such as a first flight. So we'll see in a year or thereabouts who's right.


I generally agree with you, but the same applies in reverse to those who post here, and even more so in the Su-57 thread—even though nothing truly relevant has happened and much has already been discussed countless times—to, as you put it, "obvious biased rubbish" or "have] an agenda."?!

You have to be careful and understand the perspective: I tend to be more like "Nothing's happened, so there's no need to post, so what's posted often comes across as an exaggeration or "obvious biased rubbish". While others—and apparently you as well—interpret every post that could be even remotely negative as an attack or an insult posted as "obvious biased rubbish".

The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle, and everyone has to decide for themselves what they think, but that's what forums are for.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It would be interesting to know who initiated the image composed in this way.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_2026-05-20-10-48-29-89_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jpg
    Screenshot_2026-05-20-10-48-29-89_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jpg
    239.2 KB · Views: 66
This is certainly news to me.... (not a surprising development tbh)


https://aviation21.ru/fsvts-podtverdila-rabotu-s-belorussiej-po-istrebitelyu-su-75/
Original source is https://ria.ru/20260528/istrebitel-2095169718.html and the story is pretty light on... anything other than 'work continues'.

RIA Novosti: Moscow and Minsk continue to work on creating the Su-75 fighter​


SKOLKOVO (Moscow region), May 28 - RIA Novosti. Russia and Belarus continue to work on the project to create the fifth-generation fighter Su-75 Checkmate, the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) of Russia told RIA Novosti.
"Currently, work is being carried out with Belarusian partners on a variety of projects in the development and production of various aircraft, including the Su-75 aircraft," they said FSMTC within the framework of the First International Security Forum.

In addition, the service clarified that the planes Su-57 and Su-75 are vehicles of different classes and are designed to solve different problems. Therefore, the statement that the Su-75 is an alternative to Su-57E, not entirely correct, the FSMTC emphasized.

The International Security Forum is held under the auspices of the Security Council RF from 26 to 29 May in Moscow region.
The fifth-generation Checkmate light tactical aircraft (Su-75) developed by Sukhoi was first presented at the MAKS-2021 air show. The foreign presentation of the fighter model took place that same year at the Dubai Airshow 2021. The CEO "Rosoboronexport" Alexander Mikheev previously reported that Checkmate could become a platform for joint development of a new aircraft with partners from other countries.
 
In general, I recommend following articles to their sources, rather than posting someone's take on it. Aviation21.ru is a pretty decent news site, however, compared to some.
You are undoubtedly right, although Aviation21.ru is a fairly serious aggregator.
Otherwise, when it comes to working with sources and the accuracy of information, including contexts, bmpd is at the top.
 
UAC ends debates on "for whom":
No, it doesn't if you have read the interview.
UAC CEO: Su-75 Checkmate is being developed for the Russian Ministry of Defense and foreign customers

Vadim Badekha noted that the main advantage of a single-engine fighter is the lower cost of the aircraft itself and the operations associated with its use.

TASS website editorial office
08:05
updated 08:16

© TASS
MOSCOW, June 2. /TASS/. The Su-75 Checkmate fifth-generation fighter is being developed for both the Russian Ministry of Defense and foreign customers. Vadim Badekha, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of Rostec), spoke about this in an interview with TASS ahead of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

"We're building the aircraft for both the Russian Ministry of Defense and international customers. The aircraft has significant potential. Delivery times will depend on how we work with customers, their interest, and their objectives. The Ministry of Defense has set the goal of reducing the cost of the final product," he noted.

Badekha emphasized that the main advantage of a single-engine fighter is the lower cost of the aircraft itself and the costs of its operation. "This is of great importance to the Ministry of Defense today. We are ready to play by these rules," the head of the UAC added.
 
Last edited:
No, it doesn't if you have read the interview
Yes.
Badekha says it clearly:
"Этот самолет ориентируем как для нашего Министерства обороны, так и для зарубежных заказчиков."
 
You previous post was implying what then? What debates did Badekha end exactly?
 
Debates about whether or not the entire project is doomed to failure if it “does not have customers.”
Badekha’s words demonstrate interest from the Ministry of Defense.
The only publicly known contract to date - involving the construction of an "experimental sample" - was concluded between UAC and Minpromtorg.
 
Interest is a condition for funding.
Depends entirely on whose interest is being expressed.

An autocrat like the old Shah of Iran in the 1970s? When he was buying everything? Including 4 custom AAW Spruance-class, F-14s, and lord only knows what else? Yes, interest does indicate that funding might actually flow.

But is Belarus not also slammed by the post 2022 sanctions? If not, how long before they are, do you think?
 
But is Belarus not also slammed by the post 2022 sanctions? If not, how long before they are, do you think?
Not nearly as bad as Russia, and in any case, sanctioned countries under direct threat don't save on military spending, unless they're absolutely devastated.

The question is that T-75 (which is effectively a Lightningski) is quite a lot of aircraft for a small country...but certainly a better fit than Flankers at least.
It also is super desirable for Lightning reasons(prospect of nuclear option).
 
Last edited:
Who thinks that the country of interest will be India? I would think that India could well be the launch customer of the Su-75 they need something to replace the rapidly aging MiG-21 and India could well purchase this alongside the Su-57.
 
Who thinks that the country of interest will be India? I would think that India could well be the launch customer of the Su-75 they need something to replace the rapidly aging MiG-21 and India could well purchase this alongside the Su-57.
Migs are out, their replacement is LCA.
T-75 can be an option, but AMCA has to fail first. Right now ot occupies exact same niche. Basically, may happen, but even if yes, it's more towards the 2040s.
 
So if anything happens in India export wise it is more likely that it will be the Su-57 rather than the Su-75.
 
So if anything happens in India export wise it is more likely that it will be the Su-57 rather than the Su-75.
At least for the next decade, absolutely.
Su-57 exists (that counts for something). Now, in a version India always wanted. It doesn't compete with domestic proposals/export(Rafale) on a technical basis, only financially. Finally, it's a perceived need.
 
Who thinks that the country of interest will be India?
More so Algeria or Vietnam, possibly Egypt? Depending on how their attitude changed since the most recent US interventionism in the region.

Algeria is a good bet because they're on a roll. Su-57E, Su-35E, Su-34ME... they're seriously modernizing their air force, arguably being the most powerful in North Africa right now.
 
Forgot about Algeria EmoBirb, they have certainly been rather busy upgrading their Air Force recently.
 
Who thinks that the country of interest will be India? I would think that India could well be the launch customer of the Su-75 they need something to replace the rapidly aging MiG-21 and India could well purchase this alongside the Su-57.
No because if India is serious about the AMCA it would never do something like this. The su75 will at most be available 2-3 yrs before the AMCA(we dont even know if the Su75 is 100% getting built yet so im being VERY generous assuming russia can VERY quickly develop a low end stealth jet). the su75 and the AMCA sort of occupy the same niche which is not that the IAF wants. th

The su57 fullfills the heavy Air superiority/multirole fighter need for the IAF which is not infringed upon by the AMCA. Right now its more of a political issue(especially since the twin seater version flew) rather than a capability issue(ofc the new engine is probably the one India wants but by the time HAL spins up local production of the su57 by converting and expanding its su30 production facilities the Al51 would probably be inducted). The su57 if bought will probably not remain a token order of 40 or so because the IAF wouldn't want to be completely dependant on the success of the AMCA if they have another option especially when they need the capability anyway

The mig 21(already retired) is getting replaced by the tejas mk1a. not a 5th gen. India cant afford that many 5th gens until like the late 2030s at minimum if not mid 2040s. And that's assuming good growth which although likely is not at all guarenteed.
 
Last edited:
More so Algeria or Vietnam, possibly Egypt? Depending on how their attitude changed since the most recent US interventionism in the region.

Algeria is a good bet because they're on a roll. Su-57E, Su-35E, Su-34ME... they're seriously modernizing their air force, arguably being the most powerful in North Africa right now.
but why would algeria desire a su75 when they alr have a su57. vietnam and egypt(especially egypt for israeli reasons) but algeria is unlikely imo. Its probably other partners like North korea as well as some countries in SE asia like indonesia or malaysia.
 
The Su-75 and Su-57 don't really compete for the same operational niche I'd say. Especially as the Su-75 can be a cheaper complement and used for missions that don't require the Su-57s massive tandem bay and associated volume of ordnance.
sure but can the algerian military and economy even handle 2 seperate 5th gen fighters and their associated maintenance ? seems unlikely to me. But I could be completely wrong
 

Similar threads

Back
Top Bottom