.MOSCOW, July 20 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin inspected a prototype of a new Sukhoi fifth-generation fighter jet on Tuesday that Russia unveiled at its annual MAKS air show with an eye on export markets.

The warplane, given the project name "Checkmate", 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 warplane is expected to take to the skies in 2023 with a first batch due to be produced in 2026, Yury Slyusar, head of the United Aircraft Corporation told reporters.

Russia plans to produce 300 of the aircraft over 15 years once serial production begins, he said.

Rostec, Russia's state aerospace and defence conglomerate, said the plane was hard to detect and would have low operating costs.

Rostec's chief, Sergei Chemezov, said it would cost $25 million to $30 million, the RIA news agency reported. Moscow expected demand from nations in the Middle East, Asia Pacific region and Latin America, he said.

"Our aim is to make the cost per flight hour as low as possible, to make it economical not only to buy but also to operate," said Slyusar.

Russia has successfully produced prototypes of new weapons systems in recent years but has sometimes struggled to move to serial production.

Under Putin, it has invested heavily in military aircraft and new armaments, both for its own armed forces and also to boost export revenue from weapon sales. Many of its new weapons are still based on Soviet-era technology from the Cold War.

Russia already has fourth-generation fighter jets - the heavy-class Sukhoi Su-27 and light-class Mikoyan MiG-29. It has one heavy-class fifth generation fighter jet, the Su-57, but no light-class equivalent, Panteleyev said.

"Light-class fighter jets are more in demand in the world than heavy-class ones - they are cheaper and more suitable for states that don't have large territories," he told Reuters.

In 2011, Russia used the MAKS air show to unveil the Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter.

United Aircraft, which is part of Rostec, owns the Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer that dates back to the Soviet era.

Gondonu:
While Nigeria is making do with alpha jets that mechanical faults and BH terrorists are shooting down

WeNoGoDie:
The amount of money Russia and America and others set aside in their defense budget annually will make the entire world a paradise.

While there is hunger and starvation and underdevelopment in poor countries, these rich countries invest their wealth in hyper expensive weapons because of the fear of war that never happens.

vedaxcool:
Just imagine if human beings channels all that resources to solving real problems humanity is saying.

FarahAideed:
Russia needs an air superiority fighter that can match the F35 in projection dogfights because it currently has non ..

Skynet45:

The f35 is terrible in dogfights you can do your research, it's bad in close range fights. It's a bad plane with western propaganda

Skynet45:


What is their concern with developing nation's ,are they responsible for your underdevelopment. Hold your leaders accountable and leave them alone. Russia is the largest producer of wheat and flour in the world their problem is not hunger but it's Africa problem

FarahAideed:


I said projection dog fights ...the F35 was never designed to engage another plane up close ..It will score most of its kills before the other plane ever realizes it's there ..that future of air superiority combat .

FarahAideed:


I said projection dog fights ...the F35 was never designed to engage another plane up close ..It will score most of its kills before the other plane ever realizes it's there ..that future of air superiority combat .

sam564:
Beyold the heart of man is wickedness continually...... Inventing and creating all manner of arsenals of war for whaaatttt nah??
That which u greatly fear most will diffinitely come upon u...



I meeeuuuuvvveeee

godofuck231:
that’s why you are this backward in you thinking too much religious indoctrination and brainwash , the country who claims to hold the line of Christianity has the largest arsenal in the world and you are preaching what they have programmed to block your brain , that’s how all African empires fell

AldrichAmes:


*F22. F35 is mostly for ground target and situational awareness. While F22 has the superior maneuverability for dog fights.

But Russians have always have the edge when it comes to maneuverability with fighter jets and also the better pilots. While American doctrine has always been about electronics and more functions.

Skynet45:


No mind the guy let's Africans keep on waiting for God to save us and give us food

Skynet45:


Except for the f35 is not that stealthy one isreali f35 was hit by Syria s200 not even S400 but the America kept it secret

Skynet45:


Except for the f35 is not that stealthy one isreali f35 was hit by Syria s200 not even S400 but the America kept it secret

FarahAideed:


In 10 out of 10 simulations the F35 will always like the SU 29 Flanker on every encounter as long as the F35 doesn't allow the flanker get close enough to detect it , if the flanker detects the F35 the flanker is more likely to win that round .

AldrichAmes:


Russians have the Su-35 Flanker and F-35 stands zero chance against it in combat. The only reason why Su-35 isn’t a 5th generation jet is due to its lack of stealth capability, however, it’s up there with F-22.

Su-35 intercepted F-16s and F-15Cs which are the two best American jets in terms of maneuverability, apart from F-22, in Syria on multiple occasions.

F-35 is good for what it was built for but it stands no chance in a dog fight with comparable fighter jets.

FarahAideed:


Read what I said well ...The F35 is not designed for close quarter dogfights...I clearly stated that , I said it will take out any other fighter before they know it's even around and that the idea

FarahAideed:


Read what I said well ...The F35 is not designed for close quarter dogfights...I clearly stated that , I said it will take out any other fighter before they know it's even around and that the idea

WeNoGoDie:



If you grow and develop without carrying others along, soon their problems and flaws will spill over and affect you and/or your children.

You don't understand this, but America and other world super powers understand this that's why they introduce education and medicals and other interventions to underdeveloped countries. Same reason why they've been fighting in Afghanistan for years.

My argument is that these superpowers have the financial ability to wipe out poverty and ignorance which is among the biggest threat to world peace. Why not do this instead of stocking up weapons.

godofuck231:
that’s why you are this backward in you thinking too much religious indoctrination and brainwash , the country who claims to hold the line of Christianity has the largest arsenal in the world and you are preaching what they have programmed to block your brain , that’s how all African empires fell