SOURCE: AFI
Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) recently revealed updates on its fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Su-75 “Checkmate” or Light Tactical Aircraft (LTS), at a recent presentation. This includes news of an increased maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 26 tons—similar to India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program—and plans to offer an upgraded AL-51FI engine, a shift from the previously offered AL-41. This announcement comes as UAC seeks to generate interest from potential international customers, including India. However, significant gaps in Su-75’s development may deter India, as it seeks a fighter that is not only advanced but also much closer to serial production.
Both the Su-75 and India’s AMCA are designed with a similar MTOW of 26 tons, indicating alignment in their weight class, potential payload, and operational capabilities. This would allow either aircraft to deliver similar performance in terms of range, weapons payload, and maneuverability, positioning them as direct competitors in the 5th-generation medium-weight fighter category.
India’s AMCA program, however, has already progressed through multiple phases, with prototype production expected to commence within the next few years. The Su-75, by contrast, remains a conceptual project with no flying prototype. While UAC’s design promises high-end capabilities and stealth characteristics, the AMCA’s development—backed by HAL, DRDO, and the Indian Air Force—has set concrete timelines and development goals, aligning more closely with India’s urgent fighter modernization needs.
In a notable shift, UAC has announced that the Su-75 will now feature the AL-51FI engine, an advancement over the AL-41 engine that was initially marketed with the aircraft. The AL-51FI promises better thrust, efficiency, and stealth attributes that would position the Checkmate closer to the latest generation of combat engines. However, this engine upgrade still exists largely on paper, with little information available on its testing status or operational readiness.
The Indian AMCA, on the other hand, is exploring several propulsion options, including the possibility of a co-developed engine with a foreign partner, such as General Electric, that would provide next-gen capabilities similar to those of the AL-51FI. The AMCA program’s engagement with established global engine manufacturers lends credibility to its timeline and promises a level of engine maturity that the Su-75 currently lacks.
Russia has expressed interest in exporting the Su-75 to India, but the aircraft has thus far failed to gain traction in Indian defense circles. Despite Russia’s efforts, India remains cautious about committing to a design that has yet to produce a prototype, let alone undergo flight tests or enter production. The IAF has specific requirements, including a platform that is either already in production or extremely close to it, making the Su-75’s conceptual nature a major hurdle.
The Indian AMCA program aligns closely with the country’s defense goals for indigenous fighter production, whereas the Su-75, as a foreign design, may face challenges in fulfilling the IAF’s “Make in India” mandate. India’s need for autonomy in its defense production process, along with the AMCA’s momentum, reduces the likelihood of the IAF making a last-minute pivot to an untested foreign platform like the Su-75.
Despite these challenges, UAC is expected to brief India on the Su-75’s design changes and program progress at the Aero India 2025. This presentation aims to address India’s questions on the Su-75’s development status and update the IAF on the aircraft’s new specifications. However, without a prototype or tested systems to showcase, the Su-75 may fall short of convincing the Indian side. The timing of this presentation is also challenging, given that Aero India is likely to see multiple contenders demonstrating their fully developed and near-production-ready fighter jets.
India’s need for a modern, production-ready fighter is urgent, with the IAF actively seeking a replacement for its aging fleet of legacy aircraft. The timeline for a ready-to-produce fighter is critical for the IAF, especially in light of rising regional threats and the rapid advancements of neighboring air forces. For India, investing in a concept that may take years to materialize into an operational jet poses considerable risk, which is why indigenous programs like the AMCA are being prioritized.
The AMCA program’s focus on self-reliance, coupled with the backing of established defense players like HAL and DRDO, provides the IAF with a degree of confidence that the Su-75 lacks. The Indian fighter market is becoming increasingly competitive, with established manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and Dassault also proposing 5th-gen alternatives for the IAF’s needs.