Manturov announced the time frame for creating a prototype of the Checkmate fighter

The first prototype of the fifth-generation light fighter Checkmate can be created before the end of 2025. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov.

“I expect this to happen before the end of 2025,” he said (quote according to RIA Novosti).

Manturov also noted that the project was adapted taking into account the wishes of foreign customers. “Over these two years, we have collected requests, including making certain adjustments to the project so that it is maximally adapted to the needs of customers who are interested in a single-engine aircraft,” he said, without specifying which countries were interested in the purchase of aircraft.

Previously at the Rostec state corporation reportedthat Russia has begun preparations for the production of the first samples of light fifth-generation Checkmate fighters.

The fighter was presented in Russia at MAKS 2021, and abroad at the Dubai Airshow 2021. Rostec noted that after this, changes were made to the project, including those related to its cost and certain technical solutions. Because of this, the timing of the first flight was adjusted.

Checkmate has an intra-fuselage compartment for air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons. The payload mass of the vehicle is 7 tons, speed is Mach 1.8, combat radius is 3000 km. The aircraft can simultaneously hit up to six targets. It was initially assumed that the first flight of the Checkmate would take place in 2023, and serial production would begin in 2025. The key features of the fighter are stealth, low cost per flight hour, open architecture and high performance in terms of cost-effectiveness.