The United Aircraft Corporation, part of the Russian state corporation Rostec, teased the reveal of a new fighter jet on July 20, 2021, on the first day of the MAKS 2021 International Aviation and Space Salon in Zhukovsky.
A countdown to the reveal as well as a trailer was launched on the project’s website, called “Checkmate.”
“Russia is one of the few countries in the world with full-cycle capacities for producing advanced aircraft systems, as well as a recognized trendsetter in the creation of combat aircraft,” a Rostec spokesman commented. “The new product developed by UAC specialists should arouse genuine interest not only in our country but also in other regions of the world, including our competitors abroad.”
The upcoming aircraft could be a light fighter jet “with a supersonic speed capability and low radar signature,” an industry source told the Russian news agency TASS. According to the trailer, this aircraft could be mainly oriented towards export.
The 2021 edition of the MAKS International Aviation and Space Salon is to take place at Zhukovsky airport near Moscow from July 20 to 25, 2021.