India expected to seek new Russian stealth fighter amid ongoing border dispute with China

The fifth-generation Checkmate is likely to offer advanced stealth capability but will sell at a much lower cost than the US’ F-35

The Indian Air Force has no fighters that can match China’s J-20

Reading Time:2 minutes

A prototype Sukhoi “Checkmate” stealth fighter on display in Russia last week. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 6:00pm, 25 Jul 2021Updated: 10:33pm, 25 Jul 2021

India will be keen to buy a newly unveiled Russian stealth fighter to help counter China’s forces along their disputed border, according to military analysts.

Earlier this week the Russian aircraft maker Sukhoi unveiled a prototype of its new “Checkmate” jet at the MAKS-2021 International Aviation and Space Salon outside Moscow.

The maker highlighted its stealth abilities and relatively low cost, which is expected to be a major selling point internationally.

Sukhoi said the fifth-generation fighter had a top speed of Mach 2 and an operational range of 3,000km (1,865 miles) and a payload of 7.4 tonnes.

It is expected to make its maiden flight in 2023 and deliveries could start in 2026. Russia plans to produce 300 of the planes over 15 years to replace its depleted fighter squadrons.

Details of the technology used in the planes have yet to be made public, but Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst, said its aerodynamic design suggested it has better stealth capabilities than the Sukhoi Su-57, Russia’s first fifth-generation fighter which entered service in December last year.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x