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The Sukhoi Su-75 fighter jet was presented at a trade fair in Russia in 2021. There was nothing comparable in Russia, an enthusiastic Vladimir Putin (71) said at the time. So far, however, production figures for the high-tech box, highly praised by the Kremlin boss, have not really taken off.
Numerous design changes had caused delays. The plans were changed again and again, sometimes it was about the design of the aircraft, sometimes it was about the flight control system or armament. There was sometimes the impression that nothing would ever happen to the Su-75 jet, nicknamed “Checkmate”.
But the new Russian plane is not yet completely “checkmated”. The aircraft will still be in series production from 2026. Defense company Rostec, which developed the aircraft, announced this on Monday.
Artificial intelligence takes over the co-pilot’s job
The long planning time could have been worth it, at least from a technology perspective. The war machine would have a multi-disciplinary arsenal of weapons in the form of short-, medium- and long-range missiles and be able to attack up to six targets simultaneously.
The stealth aircraft, which can reach speeds of up to 2,200 kilometers per hour, would be barely visible on enemy radar. There is also enough space in the interior of the machine, which costs $25 to $30 million, to carry additional weapons.
And there is something else that makes the Russian plane special: it does not require a co-pilot to fly it. The co-pilot’s task is performed by radio-electronic devices with elements of artificial intelligence. In the future, the Sukhoi Su-75 should also be able to independently control smaller drones.
Nobody wants Putin’s new wonder plane
However, one big problem remains: it is still unclear whether and when the device will actually be deployed.
But that’s not all: as “Flugrevue” reports, the Russian armed forces have so far shown no interest in the fighter plane. Foreign buyers are also not queuing at Rostec.
Russia is generally struggling to develop fifth-generation fighters, counterparts to the American F-22 and F-35. According to experts, only a few examples of the first attempt, the Su-57, have been produced so far; the reason could be a technical defect.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
