The russian federation continues to aggressively market its Su-75 Checkmate light tactical fighter to New Delhi as a replacement for the outdated MiG-29 fleet, according to Indian news website IDRW.org.
The editors remind that when russia first showcased the Checkmate model in 2021, associated promo materials positioned India as a prospective customer despite the aircraft existing only as a mock-up, with no actual working prototype yet.
Read more: With First Su-75 Checkmate Ready No Sooner Than 2025, russians Admit Their Next-Gen Fighter Sparks No Interest on the Market
Despite Moscow's persistent efforts, the Indian Air Force has not responded positively to the proposal. The primary reason for India's hesitation is the uncertainty surrounding the Su-75, which has yet to make its maiden flight. Initially scheduled for 2023, this flight has been postponed multiple times and is now not expected until 2026–2027 at the earliest.
Additionally, earlier in 2024, India approved its own 5th-generation fighter project under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, this time excluding russian involvement with its Su-57 and Su-75. This ambitious project aims to build the first five prototypes by 2028 or 2029. Although India's ability to meet these tight deadlines remains an open question, the fact in itself reflects New Delhi's intent to distance itself from russian aircraft projects.
After all, let's remember that russia was also supposed to cooperate with India on the FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) project based on the Su-57. It began in 2007 and ended with India cutting ties in 2018.
The attempts by russia to secure buyers or partners for the Su-75 are understandable: developing a new aircraft is not a cheap undertaking, and pre-determined customers could alleviate some of this burden.
Earlier, Maya Carlin, an analyst at the Center for Security Policy, in an article for Business Insider described the Checkmate program as one that "continues to limp along," especially after one of the participants, the United Arab Emirates, suspended its participation in 2022 at least until Moscow shows Checkmate's first flight. That left russia without "a critical source of funding and R&D" for this development, and the reason lay precisely in the unmet deadlines and broken promises from russia.
Read more: After 15 Years of Searching for a Buyer, russia Sells "Indian" Su-30Ks to Ethiopia
