Russia to offer Su-75 production line to India, that will be the only production line of the jet worldwide
Source : Bulgarian Military
India’s plan to acquire new fighter jets could see further delays as Moscow ramps up a new “marketing invasion” in the country. Indian sources report that the Su-75 Checkmate will be showcased at India’s Aero India 2025 exhibition, with Sukhoi offering India the exclusive rights to manufacture the Su-75 domestically. If this partnership comes to fruition, it would grant India the ability to export fighter jets to other countries.
Sources indicate that the Sukhoi Design Bureau’s representatives in India have sweetened the deal with a potential technology transfer [ToT]. Russian officials tout the Su-75 Checkmate as a highly cost-effective solution for nations seeking stealth fighter capabilities without the hefty price tag usually associated with 5th-generation aircraft. Russia maintains that the fighter jet’s unit cost will be between $30 million and $35 million.
The Sukhoi Su-75 “Checkmate” is touted by Russia as a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter. It boasts impressive capabilities, including a top speed of Mach 1.8, a range of up to 3,000 km [1,864 miles], and an operational ceiling of 16,500 meters [54,100 feet]. This aircraft can carry up to 7.4 tons of payload, featuring both air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions stowed in internal bays to maintain its stealth. Advanced avionics, artificial intelligence for pilot assistance, and network-centric warfare capabilities round out its impressive tech suite.
In one of Moscow’s previous attempts to engage India in the Su-75 Checkmate project back in April, BulgarianMilitary.com reported that Rostec disclosed significant cost reductions for the project. These reductions were attributed to “technical changes” based on “potential buyer feedback,” sparking speculation that India could be this potential buyer, even without official confirmation.
In early 2024, retired Indian Marshal Anil Khosla addressed local media, emphasizing the need for caution. He suggested New Delhi should conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis before making any commitments. Khosla highlighted the importance of strategically assessing whether a mutual pact would provide substantial benefits to India.
India has already navigated similar ventures. The production of the Su-30MKI [Multirole Combat Aircraft, India] in India is the result of a major partnership with Russia, initiated in the late 1990s. Seeking to upgrade its air force with advanced multirole fighters, India entered negotiations with Russia’s Sukhoi company.
In 1996, India placed an initial order for 40 Su-30 aircraft with the intent to enhance them progressively. This customized version, known as the Su-30MKI, integrates systems from Russia, India, France, and Israel, culminating in a sophisticated, multi-role aircraft.
The Su-30MKI was equipped with thrust vectoring engines for exceptional maneuverability and featured advanced radar and weapon systems. In 2000, India took a significant step by signing a licensing agreement with Russia to domestically produce 140 Su-30MKIs through Hindustan Aeronautics Limited [HAL].
The official production journey began in 2004 under this licensing setup, with HAL incrementally boosting the indigenous content of these aircraft. This deal marked a pivotal moment in Indo-Russian defense relations and underscored India’s shift toward achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
By 2017, HAL had successfully produced over 200 Su-30MKIs, cementing the aircraft’s role as the backbone of the Indian Air Force. The Su-30MKI program stands as a testament to India’s commitment to co-developing advanced military technologies with international partners while enhancing its domestic production capabilities.
Russia’s proposal comes with an interesting twist. According to Indian sources, Moscow insists on keeping the deal strictly between the two governments. This leaves India in a tricky position because experts say the deal will only materialize if New Delhi scraps the multi-role fighter jet [MRFA] tender for 114 fighters.
If New Delhi goes ahead with Moscow’s offer, it won’t just disappoint the current Western bidders for the MRFA; it’ll likely make them quite upset. The contenders in India’s MRFA competition include some big names in global defense manufacturing: Lockheed Martin with the F-21, Boeing offering the F/A-18 Super Hornet, Dassault Aviation with the Rafale, Saab with the Gripen E, and the Eurofighter consortium with the Typhoon.
Let’s not overlook the phrase “exclusive production.” This isn’t just about building production lines in India; it also means that India would have the right to sell the Su-75 Checkmate outside the country. But why would Russia make such a strategic offer?
Some might call it a risky maneuver by the Russian Federation, but that sentiment belongs to a bygone era. Today, as Russia grapples with economic sanctions and international pressures, every dollar counts. The introduction of US legislation such as CAATSA has complicated global interactions, but creative alliances have emerged. Take, for instance, the collaboration with India, which now serves as a critical lifeline for Russia’s military industry amid sanctions. It’s a clear case where $1 is much more than $2.
In fact, this strategy is already in action. In February 2020, Russia presented India with a significant opportunity: using Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s [HAL] Nashik plant as an export hub for the Su-30MKI. At DefExpo 2020 in Lucknow, this proposal was part of broader efforts to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries.
Under this plan, HAL would manufacture additional Su-30MKI aircraft at the Nashik facility, not only for the Indian Air Force but also for export to other nations. This aligns perfectly with India’s ambitions to boost defense exports and Russia’s strategy to broaden its fighter aircraft market globally.
Beyond the Su-30MKI, Russia has set its sights on marketing the Su-75 Checkmate for international buyers. The nation is actively pursuing partnerships with Indian private sector companies to build a solid supply chain for Checkmate production within India. This collaboration promises to boost India’s aerospace sector while offering Russia a dependable and efficient pathway for manufacturing and exporting these advanced aircraft.
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