Defense Show 2024: Russia showcased its most dangerous fighter jet Sukhoi-75 Checkmate at the World Defense Show 2024 held in Saudi Arabia. Apart from this, Russia also introduced the world to IL-76 cargo aircraft and MiG-35 fighter jet. During this time, while Russia is trying to woo the Gulf countries for Sukhoi-75, India is keeping distance from this fifth generation fighter aircraft.
According to a report, after the Ukraine war, Russia is continuously adding new weapons to its arsenal. However, Russia is now finding it difficult to sell its weapons, even though Russia tops the list of major arms exporting countries in the world. World Defense Show 2024 has been organized in Saudi Arabia from 4 to 8 February, in which Russian company United Aircraft Corporation has also reached. This Russian company manufactures Sukhoi-75 Checkmate and MiG-35 fighter jets.
Features of Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate
According to a report, United Aircraft CEO Yuri Slyusar said that the Middle East is an important market for munitions. Many countries have shown interest in Russian weapons. Yuri Slyusar said that Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate is a light strategic aircraft, which was introduced for the first time in the year 2021. Russia also demonstrated this fighter aircraft in the Dubai Air Show in the year 2021. According to the report, this Russian fighter jet is of the fifth generation and due to its design it cannot be caught by radar.
According to a report, Russia is still making changes to the Checkmate aircraft. The Putin government is preparing it for export around the world and Russia is busy arranging money for this fighter jet. It is said that Russia had sought help from India for the development of this fighter jet, but New Delhi showed no interest in it. Now Russia’s defense industry is expecting the most from Saudi Arabia. Russia hopes Saudi Arabia will buy their jets in the future.
According to a report, India had earlier decided to cooperate with Russia in the development of this jet, but later backed out. On the other hand, China is selling fifth generation fighter aircraft to Pakistan, while India is still lagging behind in this matter. It is said that the Sukhoi-75 jet has been designed to compete with the American fighter aircraft F-35 and the Chinese fighter aircraft FC-31. After increasing friendship with China, Pakistan is purchasing the fifth generation Chinese jet FC-31.
Self-reliant India is the main reason
Former Indian Air Force officer Air Marshal Anil Khosla said in a statement that ‘it is important to calculate the advantages and disadvantages before taking any decision. Russia needs money and partners, but it is important to understand what benefit India will get from this. The Air Marshal also said that participation in this project will affect the goal of ‘self-reliant India’.
India working on making fighter jet – defense expert
On the other hand, in the year 2019, former Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria had clearly said that there is no plan to acquire “foreign fifth generation fighter aircraft in the near future”. India itself is working on making fifth generation fighter aircraft. India’s fifth generation fighter aircraft will be “AMCA”.
Also read: PTI Workers in London: Hooliganism by Imran’s workers in London, scuffle with Pakistani judge