The ongoing conflict in Ukraine significantly reduces the chances of the ambitious Su-75 fighter jet making its debut in the near future. Although Russia says it is preparing to build prototypes, the information available is sparse and often comes from enthusiastic amateurs rather than official sources.
Moreover, a crucial question remains unanswered: will the Su-75 Checkmate be a stealth aircraft or not? Both the manufacturer Rostec and the Russian Defense Ministry have sent conflicting signals about the aircraft’s capabilities. According to Stavros Atlamazoglou, a veteran defense and security journalist, conflicting statements from Russian officials indicate a lack of clear direction. Some have suggested that the Su-75 will have to operate beyond enemy air defenses, meaning it will not have stealth capabilities, while others claim that it will indeed be a stealth fighter jet.
Although Russian state media often tout the Su-75 as a stealth aircraft, experts argue that the term “Secrecy” may be an exaggeration in this context. Comparisons have been drawn to the way other nations describe non-stealthy 4th generation fighters, which have only minimal stealth enhancements rather than the full stealth capabilities of true 5th generation fighters such as the F-22.
Moreover, there are growing doubts about whether the Russian defense industry can actually deliver on these advanced technological promises. Economic sanctions and shortages of key components have fueled skepticism about the Su-75’s suitability as a true stealth aircraft.
About two years ago, Alex Hollings provided a detailed analysis of the Su-75 design and not just assumptions, explaining why the Checkmate “doesn’t look quite” like a stealth aircraft. Hollings pointed out that while the Su-75 has some stealth-related features such as internal weapons bays and radar-absorbing materials, it lacks the comprehensive stealth integration found on aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor.
For example, Hollings noted that fifth-generation fighters are not just about adding stealth capabilities, but rather about building stealth into the entire design from the start. In contrast, the Su-75 appears to be designed primarily for profitability and export potential, which may be affecting its stealth effectiveness compared to Western counterparts.
Another major obstacle for the Su-75 Checkmate is its well-known delays. Experts argue that these development setbacks and the lack of test flights are only adding to the growing skepticism. The Su-75 is being marketed as a low-cost alternative to Western stealth fighters such as the F-35, but has yet to prove its practical capabilities. Its stealth capabilities are still largely theoretical at this point.
In addition, there is the question of the overall development of stealth technology in Russia. Russian media often tout the Su-57 Felon as a stealth fighter, but it lags significantly behind fifth-generation Western fighters and sometimes even behind older models such as the F-18 or Rafale. Radar return cross section (RCS) is a measure of an object’s detectability by radar, expressed in square meters (m²). While RCS values for stealth aircraft are usually classified, rough estimates can provide some perspective.
Take the F-22 Raptor, for example. It has an RCS of 0.0001 to 0.0005 m², comparable to the size of a marble or a bumblebee, making it one of the least detectable aircraft in service today. The F-35 has an RCS of 0.001 to 0.005 m², which is about the size of a golf ball. Although its RCS is slightly higher than the F-22, it remains extremely low, which contributes to its stealth. This slight difference is due to the F-35’s larger size and multi-role design.
In contrast, the Su-57 Felon has an RCS of 0.1 to 1 m², somewhere between the size of a bird and a small fighter jet. This higher RCS suggests it has less stealth capabilities, partly due to design elements such as exposed engine turbines and certain design compromises.
Therefore, based on the currently available data, it is difficult to claim that Russian stealth technology is on par with that of the United States. Unless these parameters are significantly reduced, the Su-75 cannot assume the status of a stealth aircraft with today’s technological standards.
Currently, the Su-75 Checkmate program is hampered by skyrocketing costs and financial constraints. Although Rostec announced in November that production of the Su-75 Checkmate would begin shortly, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine requires Moscow’s full attention and a significant portion of its defense budget, further driving up project costs.
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