As part of an increasingly dynamic shift in the global defense landscape, Moscow has upped the ante on marketing the Su-75 “Checkmate” fighter jet to India, an effort that represents Moscow’s strategic ambitions at a time when geopolitical tensions are shifting.
While India is broadly focused on its desire to diversify its defense procurement from Russian military hardware, given the historical level of dependence, Rostec, Russia’s state-owned defense corporation, has since then rolled out the Su-75 with a particularly discounted price geared toward India.
This is, therefore, not simply a business offer but rather a calculated move that will maintain the long-running defense cooperation between Russia and New Delhi.
The Su-75 “Checkmate” is a derivative of the Su-57, and intended to serve as Moscow’s response to the F-35 Lightning II and Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon. Advanced systems, such as artificial intelligence technologies, with an open architecture configuration, this is a multi-operational capability fighter.
It has a top speed of Mach 1.8 and an internal fuel operational range of 2,800 kilometers at a maximum take-off weight of 26,000 kilograms, capable of carrying as much as 7,400 kilograms in weapons and stores.
But it has not been all smooth sailing for the Su-75. According to John V. Parachini and Peter A. Wilson, certain issues such as dependency on foreign orders and developmental delays passed on from the Su-57 and technological constraints further intensified by international sanctions have prompted skepticism over Checkmate’s market viability, which forces these potential buyers into alternatives.
Russia’s offer to India is more than a sales pitch; it is a strategic play to continue its influence on the world defense market. Moscow’s decision to slash the Su-75 price, in reaction to India’s concerns, shows that Moscow is very willing to make significant concessions to allure New Delhi back to the negotiation table.
This allows Russia to secure a partner for its fifth-generation fighter jet in a market that has proven challenging due to geopolitical and economic factors.
India’s reason for exploring the Su-75 is multifaceted. For decades, Russia has been India’s largest arms supplier, accounting for a big share of India’s weapons purchases. However, the protracted conflict in Ukraine and the resultant sanctions on Russia have further hindered its ability to deliver munitions and spares, hastening India’s quest to diversify its sources of procurement.
Moreover, India’s prowess in the development of fifth-generation fighter aircraft programs, such as the Tejas Mk II and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, reduces the appeal of the Su-75, particularly in light of the timeline projected for the former.
At the same time, the Su-75 deal has strategic implications for India’s relations with major powers like the United States. Sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) lie in wait for the United States.
This has complicated India’s calculus regarding its deal with Russia once more, pushing the level of defense risk from this latest significant defense deal to an altogether new level that could disrupt the Indian defense procurement plan and long-term strategic partnerships as well.
As global defense trends continue to unfold, it is the intricate dance between Russian ambition and Indian strategic interest that will define the future of the defense relationship.
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