Russia Unveils Prototype “Fifth-Generation” Fighter Written 21 July 2021

Reuters reports that on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin “inspected a prototype of a new Sukhoi fifth-generation fighter” that Russia “unveiled at its annual MAKS air show with an eye on export markets.” The project Checkmate fighter “is likely to be touted as a rival to the U.S. F-35 stealth fighter, said Oleg Panteleyev, head of the Aviaport analytical agency.” The AP  reports that Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov “voiced hope that the new fighter,” which is expected to make its first flight in 2023, “could be sold to India, Vietnam and African nations, adding that foreign customers are expected to order at least 300 such aircraft. Borisov noted that one foreign customer he didn’t name has already expressed a strong interest in the new jet.”
Full Story (Reuters); More Info (Associated Press)