Abstract
This article explores Russia’s diplomatic efforts to sell Su-75 “Checkmate” fighter jet to India, amidst New Delhi’s attempts to diversify its defence procurement away from Russia military equipment. Rostec’s decision to reduce jet’s price for India signifies Moscow’s intent to sustain its long-term defence partnership, despite challenges in the global market and India’s own advances in the defence technology. This article delves into the Su-75 specifications, its competition with global counterparts, and the strategic implications of the potential deal on India-Russia relations and the broader geopolitical landscape, especially considering the potential repercussions.
Key Words : Su-75, India-Russia Relations, Defence Partnership, Defence Technology
Introduction
In the context of India’s strategic initiatives to diversify its defence procurement and reduce its dependency on Russian military equipment, Moscow has undertaken a significant diplomatic endeavour to engage New Delhi in discussions regarding the acquisition of the Su-75 “Checkmate” fighter jet. In early February 2024, Rostec, Russia’s state-owned defence corporation responsible for the development of the Su-75 “Checkmate”, declared a reduction in selling price of the jet, especially for India, in response to feedback from the latter. This move is seen as part of Russia’s broader strategy to maintain its long-term defence partnership with India, amidst New Delhi’s shifting global defence procurement dynamics. (Sharma, 2024)
A Brief About Su-75 “Checkmate” Fighter Jet
The Su-75 “Checkmate”, a derivative of the Sukhoi Su-57, is Russian equivalent to the US F-35 Lightning II and China’s Shenyang FC-31 Gyrafalcon. It is powered by the same single engine i.e., AL-41F-1 used in Su-57. Touted for its advanced systems, including artificial intelligence technologies and open architecture configuration which allow interoperability, the Su-75 aims to meet diverse customer requirements. (Suciu, 2024) The Su-75 is designed to reach a top speed of Mach 1.8, with an operational range of 2,800 kilometres on internal fuel. Its maximum take-off weight is listed as 26,000 kilograms, including up to 7400 kilograms of weapons and stores. (Butowski, 2023)
However, John V Parachini and Peter A Wilson who had critically evaluated Russia’s Su-75 revealed several issues associated with the fighter jet, which includes dependency on foreign orders, developmental delays from its predecessor, the Su-57, and technological limitations exacerbated by sanctions. With changing warfare dynamics favouring drones, scepticism growing over Checkmate’s market viability, suggesting potential buyers consider alternatives. The reduction in the selling price of the fighter jet reflects broader doubts about Russia’s aerospace ambitions and marketing strategies. (Parachini and Wilson, 2022)
Why Russia is Keen to Sell it to India?
Russia’s overture to India with the Su-75 “Checkmate” is more than a mere sales pitch. It represents a strategic manoeuvre to maintain its influence in the global defence market and sustain its longstanding defence relationship with India. The announcement to potentially cut down the selling price as per India’s feedback indicates Moscow’s willingness to make significant concessions to make the deal appealing to New Delhi. This move could potentially bring back India on the negotiation table, offering Russia a chance to secure a partner for its fifth-generation fighter jet in a market that has been challenging to penetrate due to geopolitical and economic factors.
What is India’s Rationale?
Historically, Russia has been the largest arms supplier to India, accounting for 65 per cent of India’s weapons purchases over the last decades, amounting to more than USD 60 billion. (SIPRI). However, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War has imposed several sanctions on Russia, which has impaired its ability to supply munitions and spares, accelerating India’s initiative to diversify its weapon procurement sources. (Suciu, 2024) Also, Russia’s efforts to engage India with the Su-75 comes at a time when India is advancing its own fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme (Tejas MkII and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), so it is improbable that India will pursue the Su-75, which will not go into production for another 8–10 years. (Berridge, 2024) Another critical reason of India for not procure Su-75 is India’s withdrawal from the Joint development program of Su-57 (the predecessor of Su-75) in 2018. India cited reasons like persistent setbacks in development, failure in producing second-generation engines and disagreements regarding technology transfers. (EurAsian Times Desk, 2024)
Moreover, the strategic implications of India’s engagement with the Su-75 deal could have far-reaching consequences for its relationship with major powers like the US and the delicate balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. There is a strong possibility that India will not sign the Su-75 deal with Russia because it will now irk the US, who is known to use Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), a law that came into effect in 2017. It is a law that is meant to punish partner countries via economic sanctions for having deep engagements with Russia, North Korea and Iran. It is important to note that India already had been exempted once from CAATSA for purchasing the S-400 air defence system from Russia. New Delhi doing it again might be taken as crossing the red line by Washington.
Conclusion
Russia’s offer of the Su-75 “Checkmate” fighter jet and India’s strategic imperatives reflect a complex web of geopolitics considerations and defence procurement dynamics. Russia’s eagerness to secure a deal with India underscores its desire to maintain its influence in the global defence market and uphold its longstanding relationship with one of its key relationships with one of its key defence partners. However, India’s evolving defence posture, driven by a need to diversify its procurement and reduce dependency on Russian equipment, presents significant hurdles to the Su-75 deal.
India’s reservation not only stems from its concerns over the technical capabilities of Su-75 and its market viability but also from broader geopolitical implications, particularly regarding its relationship with the US. With India actively pursuing indigenous fifth-generation fighter programs and facing sanctions-related challenges in dealing with Russia, the prospects of India embracing the Su-75 appear increasingly uncertain.
Furthermore, the spectre of the US sanctions under CAATSA looms large, complicating India’s strategic calculus and potentially straining its delicate balancing act between competing global powers. While India has previously navigated CAATSA-related challenges, another significant defence deal with Russia could provoke a stronger response from Washington, risking disruptions to India’s defence procurement plans and broader strategic partnerships.
Lastly, India’s decision on the Su-75 deal will not only shape its defence capabilities but also have reverberations across the Indo-Pacific region’s geopolitical landscape. Whether India opts to pursue the Su-75 or explores alternative avenues to enhancing its defence capabilities, the complexities of international relations and strategic interests will continue to shape its defence procurement strategies in the years to come.
References
Butowski, P. (2024). Sukhoi Reshapes The Su-75 Checkmate. Aviation Week. Retrieved on February 9, 2024. Available at https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/sukhoi-reshapes-su-75-checkmate
EurAsian Times Desk. (2024). Ukraine War ‘Kills’ Russia’s Stealth Fighter Development Plans; Su-75 Checkmate Fails To Woo Financers?. The EurAsian Times. Retrieved on February 9, 2024. Available at https://www.eurasiantimes.com/ukraine-shoots-down-russias-stealth-fighter/
Parachini, John & Wilson, Peter. (2022). Is Russia’s Su-75 ‘Checkmate’ Aircraft a Case of Vapor Marketing?. The Rand Blog. Retrieved on February 9, 2024. Available at https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2022/01/is-russias-su-75-checkmate-aircraft-a-case-of-vapor.html
Sharma, Ritu. (2024). Su-75: Russia “Checkmates” India’s Hesitation To Join Stealth Fighter Program; Rostec To Slash Costs ‘As Per Feedback’. Retrieved on February 9, 2024. The Eurasian Times. Available at https://www.eurasiantimes.com/russia-to-checkmate-indias-hesitation-to-join-the-su-75/#:~:text=Also%2C%20the%20fact%20that%20Su,design%20specifications%20of%20the%20aircraft.
Suciu, P. (2024). Russia’s Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate Stealth Fighter Could Fly for India. The National Interest. Retrieved on February 9, 2024. Available at https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-sukhoi-su-75-checkmate-stealth-fighter-could-fly-india-209096
