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?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
- Free magazine subscription to all our titles
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
- 10-year news archive access
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
More from Air Warfare
-
![Australian Army awards Skylark contract for SUAS+]()
Australian Army awards Skylark contract for SUAS+
Elbit Systems is a beneficiary of an Australian SUAS+ contract, which the ADF will use to support civilian operations for disaster and humanitarian relief.
-
![US approves Chinook sale to South Korea]()
US approves Chinook sale to South Korea
South Korea's army and air force are ploughing ahead with plans to modernise its heavy-lift helicopter fleet.
-
![MQ-9B Reapers are still on the cards for India’s navy]()
MQ-9B Reapers are still on the cards for India’s navy
It is taking a long time to come to fruition, but India still wants to buy MQ-9B Reapers from the US.
-
![Bell V-280 Valor wins FLRAA Black Hawk replacement contract]()
Bell V-280 Valor wins FLRAA Black Hawk replacement contract
The US Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) contract awarded to Bell marks the US Army’s largest helicopter procurement in 40 years. Here is everything you need to know about the programme.
-
![Brunei orders Airbus military transport aircraft]()
Brunei orders Airbus military transport aircraft
Brunei has joined the list of international customers for the C295 tactical transport aircraft.
