New Delhi, May 18

Russia to start serial production of the fifth-generation light fighter Checkmate in 2027, Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov said Wednesday at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

Work is in progress on the designer documentation for the light fighter jet Checkmate. Its serial production will begin in 2027, Rostec corporation’s CEO Sergey Chemezov said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

"We have plans for starting serial production in 2027," he said. So far, a prototype has been created and designer documentation is being developed.

"We borrowed the onboard equipment and the engine from the fifth-generation fighter Sukhoi-57, but reconfigured them somewhat," Chemezov said, adding that Rostec was creating the plane on its own money without drawing budget funds.

He hopes that the Defense Ministry will agree to purchase the plane.