Can Russia Afford A New Stealth Fighter… Checkmate?
Can Russia Afford A New Stealth Fighter… Checkmate?
Video Summary
The Su-75 is a stealth fighter designed to be an affordable fifth-generation aircraft, with a goal of costing around $25 to $30 million per plane. This is significantly lower than the F-35, which costs several times more and is out of reach for many countries.
The Su-75 has a payload capacity of 7 tonnes, compared to the Su-57’s 10 tonnes, but it is designed to carry a range of weapons, including air-to-air missiles, ground-attack missiles, and precision-guided bombs. The aircraft is also being designed for unmanned operation, with an eye towards making it a cost-effective option for militaries around the world.
Russia has a lot to gain from building an affordable stealth fighter, as it would allow them to compete with Western powers and potentially provide a new source of revenue. The country has experience building stealth fighters, having produced the Su-57, and has learned a lot from the process. The new aircraft is designed to be easier to manufacture and maintain, with a smaller crew and fewer support equipment requirements.
However, there are many challenges ahead for the Su-75, including the need to overcome the technical difficulties and unforeseen problems that often arise in complex development projects. The aircraft also needs to be adopted by other countries to make it viable, and it remains to be seen if Russia can secure the foreign orders needed to make it a success.
The Su-75 has a long way to go before it becomes operational, potentially by 2026, but it could be an important step forward for Russian military aviation and a key player in the global defense market.