Rostec CEO Chemezov: Checkmate is cheaper than F-35 LTS) Checkmate in front of the American F-35 Lightning II fighter. During Dubai Airshow 2021, he noted the cost and combat load of the aircraft. This is reported by RIA Novosti.
“I would classify the JF-17, J-10, F-16 as competitors, but only the F-35 can boast of comparable capabilities. Nevertheless, our aircraft is more economically profitable – both in terms of the cost of the car and the cost of a flight hour. At the same time, he can take on board a record amount of weapons. Therefore, I believe that the aircraft has good export prospects, “Chemezov noted.
The head of the state corporation added that the cost of the aircraft will be from $ 30 to $ 35 million. According to him, it is necessary to create three prototypes of the fighter, which will be used during the tests. This will allow the fighter to fly into the skies in 2023.
Earlier, the head of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Yuri Slyusar, said that Checkmate production had begun at the plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. He stressed that several aircraft are being produced at the same time.
The Polish edition of Defense24 noted that Checkmate will be a serious blow to the United States. According to the author of the material, the plane may arouse interest in the countries of the Persian Gulf.