The Su-75 Checkmate is a lightweight, single-engine, fifth-generation stealth tactical fighter developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau under the auspices of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Designed as a more economical, export-oriented alternative to heavy twin-engine fighters, the Su-75 prioritizes a streamlined, modular architecture, integrated weapons bays, a diminished radar cross-section, and versatile operational capabilities—including air-to-air, ground, and maritime strike.
At the Dubai Airshow 2025, delegates from Russia—particularly Rosoboronexport—officially disclosed that they are investigating collaborative manufacturing of the Su-75 in partnership with Belarus. The Su-75 prototype has reportedly commenced final assembly and is scheduled for bench testing, with its first flight anticipated in early 2026. The disclosed exhibits in Dubai featured not only the manned version but also an unmanned “loyal wingman” variant, demonstrating a modular, multi-variant development approach.
Thus, the 2025 Airshow reaffirmed that the Su-75 remains operational, viable, and progressively advancing toward realization—also paving the way for Belarus to transition from a potential customer to a production partner.
Belarus’s Proposal: The Rationale for Collaborative Production Between Belarus and Russia
Political-industrial framework and strategic coordination
Belarus’s defense-industrial sector has maintained a longstanding collaboration with Russia. According to statements from the chairman of the Belarusian military-industrial committee, cooperation in the aviation sector—including an earlier project designated “Osvey”—has already laid the foundation for a collaborative framework on joint aircraft initiatives.
By including Belarus in the Su-75 program, Russia gains extra production resources, which helps protect against sanctions, limits strain on Russian manufacturing, and prevents supply chain issues. For Belarus, participation represents a major advance: engagement in a fifth-generation fighter program would enhance its aerospace capabilities, facilitate foreign orders through export channels, and reposition the country within the global defense-industrial sector.
Therefore, from a strategic and political-industrial perspective, the joint production of the Su-75 is mutually advantageous: Russia gains a partner for cost sharing, while Belarus benefits from technology transfer, procurement opportunities, and increased status.
Belarus’s Industrial Capabilities: An Overview of Its Contributions
According to reports, the Belarusian side—specifically the 558th Aircraft Repair Plant located in the Baranovichi, Brest region—and other affiliated companies under the Belarusian Defense-Industrial Committee have been identified as probable participants in the project.
Belarus owns considerable expertise in manufacturing components for Russian aircraft, including earlier-generation jet models. Analysts have contended that Belarus has the potential to make major contributions to the production of the component basis (subassemblies, structural parts, and avionics integration) owing to its established industrial infrastructure.
Belarus offers a foundational aerospace infrastructure that could be repurposed for the development of sophisticated fighter aircraft. Its aircraft repair facilities and manufacturing workshops, already experienced in servicing Soviet and Russian aircraft, can be reconfigured or improved to support new-generation programs. This industrial foundation is strengthened by a highly skilled workforce well-versed in traditional Russian design principles, engineering standards, and maintenance protocols, thereby facilitating a more seamless integration into collaborative production initiatives.
Along with technical expertise, Belarus provides economic benefits. Its reduced production costs establish an advantageous environment for serial manufacturing, particularly for export-oriented aircraft such as the Su-75. For Russia, the addition of Belarus additionally offers advantages in industrial diversification. Distributing production responsibilities alleviates the workload of Russia’s leading aerospace manufacturing facilities, mitigates risk, and enhances the overall capacity available for upcoming aviation initiatives.
Potential Structure of Joint Production—Division of Labour Between Russia and Belarus
Given the present phase of the Su-75 program and the capabilities accessible within Belarus, a pragmatic allocation of responsibilities is starting to emerge. Belarus, with the 558th Aircraft Repair Plant at its center alongside other companies within the defense industry, has the capacity to undertake a wide array of industrial responsibilities. These activities cover the manufacturing of subassemblies, execution of structural work, production of various components, assembly of avionics at the module level, fabrication of electrical harnesses, and the creation of composite skins and fairings. Non-essential mechanical systems may also be manufactured locally.
For Su-75 units intended for export markets, Belarus may also carry out the final assembly process under the technical supervision of Russia to guarantee compliance with design standards.
Russia, in the meantime, would maintain direct authority over the most sensitive and technologically advanced components of the initiative. Engine manufacturing and integration, as well as the development and production of advanced avionics such as AESA radars and mission processors, would continue to be exclusively conducted within Russian facilities. Stealth-sensitive surface coatings, signature-management technologies, and all final flight-testing and certification procedures would also be conducted in Russia to safeguard proprietary expertise and preserve regulatory oversight.
As production lines develop, Belarus will be well-positioned to offer comprehensive long-term maintenance, repair, and refurbishment services to export clients operating the Su-75. This would establish a cost-effective regional support center while maintaining ongoing industrial activity in Belarus well beyond the initial manufacturing stages.
Overall, this allocation of responsibilities achieves a pragmatic equilibrium. Belarus would undertake scalable, industrially intensive tasks that correspond with its current capabilities, while Russia maintains supervision of strategic technologies. The arrangement would lower the burden on Russia’s aerospace manufacturing facilities, accelerate mass production of export variants, and reduce overall program expenses. Simultaneously, Belarus would gain advantages through technology transfer, increased manufacturing commitments, and a sustained role in supporting one of Russia’s most critical next-generation aviation initiatives.
Constraints, Risks, and Future Perspectives
Although the commitment has been made, substantial limitations and ambiguities remain:
Firstly, although joint production is being “explored,” no definitive contract appears to have been executed as of mid-2025. The discussions remain in the planning phase.
Secondly, according to certain analysts, the mass production of the Su-75 might not begin until approximately 2030—even with Belarus’s participation. This is due to the program necessitating time for prototyping, testing, certification, and ramp-up.
Thirdly, technical challenges persist—particularly concerning stealth shaping, radar and avionics integration, and supply chain complications arising from international sanctions. Belarus may be appropriate for structural and component manufacturing; however, high-tech sensitive systems are likely to remain under Russian control.
Fourth: even if Belarus establishes itself as a manufacturing center, the achievement of successful exports is not guaranteed. The Su-75 will vie with Western and Asian fighters; the demand may be constrained. Unless Russia establishes reliable export partnerships or Belarus itself commits to the procurement of the Su-75, production volumes are likely to remain limited for an extended period.
Finally: hazards related to geopolitics and sanctions. Belarus’s participation could pose challenges to export negotiations, and consumers may hesitate to acquire aircraft containing components partially manufactured in Belarus under existing sanction frameworks.
Strategic Importance: The Implications of This Partnership for the Region and Export Markets
The developing Russia–Belarus collaboration on the Su-75 program holds considerable strategic importance that extends well beyond mere industrial partnership. It signifies a renewed and more advanced phase of aerospace collaboration between the two nations, with Belarus entering the domain of fifth-generation fighter aircraft production for the first time. For a country whose aerospace sector has traditionally been linked mainly to maintenance, overhaul, and modest component production, engagement in an advanced stealth fighter program signifies important progress.
For Russia, this partnership offers an opportunity to redefine its export strategy. By collaboratively developing a more affordable, modular, single-engine stealth fighter, Moscow acquires a platform that may attract nations unable to afford the costly twin-engine Western aircraft. This expansion facilitates access to markets throughout the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, and Latin America, where numerous nations emphasize affordability and seek to reduce reliance on NATO-affiliated suppliers. At notable international events such as the Dubai Airshow 2025, Russian officials have highlighted the collaboration with Belarus as a key advantage for prospective export clients, emphasizing that joint production facilitates cost reduction and enhances manufacturing capacity.
Belarus also has the potential to benefit considerably. Its engagement assures industrial revitalization, the generation of qualified employment opportunities, and substantive technology transfer from Russia’s most advanced aviation initiatives. Participation in the Su-75 project may serve as a key foundation for the subsequent phase of Belarusian aerospace growth, establishing the basis for future manufacturing, maintenance, and potentially autonomous design capabilities in the long term.
On a global scale, an effectively developed Su-75 supported by a collaborative Russia–Belarus industrial base could impact regional air-power dynamics. It would establish a stealth-capable fighter alternative beyond the conventional Western defense framework, providing numerous nations with an additional avenue for obtaining sophisticated air combat capabilities. This development may generate ripple effects in areas where access to advanced fighter aircraft has traditionally been controlled by U.S. and European manufacturers, potentially impacting procurement strategies and strategic partnerships.
Conclusion: A Pragmatic yet Cautiously Optimistic Approach
The integration of Belarus into the Su-75 Checkmate scheme—formally announced at the Dubai Airshow 2025—elevates the project from a strictly Russian initiative to a wider Russia–Belarus industrial partnership. Considering Belarus’s current aerospace industry infrastructure and Russia’s technological expertise, a division of labor wherein Belarus manages structural and component manufacturing while Russia maintains control over sensitive systems is both plausible, efficient, and strategically advantageous.
Nevertheless, the journey toward full-scale serial production, extensive export achievement, and operational implementation remains protracted. Technical challenges, certification processes, sanctions, export customer hesitancy, and the inherent complexity of fifth-generation aircraft development indicate that major achievements are likely still several years distant.
In summary: Belarus’s participation revitalizes the Su-75—establishing a practical, cost-sharing manufacturing foundation—yet it remains to be seen whether this will develop into a comprehensive, multi-role export fighter. The upcoming years—comprising prototyping, bench testing, initial flight, and export marketing—will be pivotal.