Moscow air show to feature new Russian fighter jet

A Russian aircraft maker is set to unveil a new single-engine fighter jet during a Moscow air show next week.

Compared to a more recent Su-57 two-engine stealth fighter already in Russia, the new light fighter jet is reported to be smaller and only have one engine, The Associated Press reported.

The single-engine fighter jet is reportedly similar to the U.S. F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, but the engine, which is still being developed, would give the plane the ability to fly at supersonic speed, the AP noted.

Several news outlets report that the fighter jet has been dubbed “Checkmate” by the Russian aircraft maker, Sukhoi, and is set to be presented at the MAKS-2021 International Aviation and Space Salon in Zhukovsky on Tuesday.

Russian President Vladmir Putin is set to attend the air show next week, the AP reported.

Russian state corporation Rostec, the parent company of Sukhoi, teased a video of the new jet earlier this week, calling it a “fundamentally new military plane.”

The AP reported that the fighter jet is likely trying to compete with an American fighter plane, the U.S. F-35 Lightning II fighter.

“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. 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,” a Rostec spokesman said in a statement.