The Russian defense industry once again makes a strong presence at the Dubai Air Show 2023, one of the major aerospace industry exhibitions outside the “Western” sphere, where it can showcase its products to potential customers and partners. And during the first day of the air show, Russian government sources said they are interested in attracting customers for the Su-57E, the export version of the Russian fifth-generation fighter, while also looking for partners interested in participating in the Su-75 Checkmate development program.
Su-57 for Export
According to Interfax news agency, Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) announced its readiness to start studying the issue of exporting the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter, if it receives requests from foreign customers.
Some new figures on the Su-57.#DAS23 pic.twitter.com/F89Kquu4Pi
— Michael Jerdev (@MuxelAero) November 13, 2023
“The Su-57 is the latest fifth-generation fighter. Today, the main task is to fulfill the state defense order and meet the needs of the Russian customer – the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. If our foreign partners contact us, we are ready to start working on this issue,” said the FSMTC of the Russian Federation in connection with the Dubai Air Show.
FSMTC noted that several customers are already showing “increased interest” in the Su-57E aircraft.
What about the Su-75 Checkmate?
Checkmate is a project for a new-generation light multi-role combat aircraft, developed by Sukhoi, which incorporates advanced technical solutions, but adapted from technologies already developed for aircraft such as the Su-57 Felon or the MiG-35 Fulcrum. It was presented to the public for the first time at the MAKS-2021 International Aviation and Space Exhibition, and the same year it was also present at the Dubai Air Show 2021, indicating the importance Russia places on the interest of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other potential customers in the Middle East and Asia region.
While the first flight of the Su-75 is expected in 2025 and mass production to begin in 2027, there is still a long development road to travel and new variants to engineer (such as the unmanned version), leaving open the possibility of foreign partners joining the program, particularly those with strong funding capabilities, such as the UAE.
“Regarding the Checkmate aircraft, we are open to dialogue and cooperation with partners in this project in various formats of mutual interest,” FSMTC’s press department commented on the matter.
The reluctance of the United States to sell the Lockheed Martin F-35 in the region (beyond Israel) could be the opportunity Moscow needs to export its “elite” weapons systems to customers whose defense needs are great, and have the wallet to pay for them.
