Checkmate and Okhotnik face trouble despite positive spin from Rostec
Checkmate was unveiled at the MAKS-2021 event in Moscow in July 2021. (Photo: Russian MoD)
Western sanctions, imposed on Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine, mean that Rostec will struggle to bring its much-vaunted Checkmate and Okhotnik programmes to fruition.
During the meeting last month with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov discussed the S-70 Okhotnik UCAV and the Checkmate light fifth-generation fighter aircraft — two much-hyped programmes that may yet suffer from the broader repercussions of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Chemezov claimed that serial production of the Okhotnik heavy UCAV will begin in 2023.
‘The first flying prototype was rolled out in 2021 and we will begin serial-producing and delivering it to the [Russian] defence ministry in 2023,’ he said in an official statement after the meeting.
‘As its specific feature, the Okhotnik has a flat
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Philippines approved for potential $5.5 billion F-16 aircraft purchase]()
Philippines approved for potential $5.5 billion F-16 aircraft purchase
The potential sale, approved by the US to the Philippines, is for 20 F-16 Block 70/72 jets, days after US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth visited the country.
-
![Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft]()
Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft
The acquisition of four C-390 aircraft follows the country’s signing of an MoU in 2023 and formal selection in 2024. It will join the existing contract held by the Netherlands and Austria.
-
![Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year]()
Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year
The counter-UAS prototype, named Low-cost Air Defence or ‘LOAD’, will be used to combat kamikaze UAS.
