Dear members,
I would like to present my views on this thread which seems to have gathered a lot of momentum. I will not be able to go into critical data on an open forum. I have been following aviation posts and have certain perspective that I would like to present to remove the a few misconceptions regarding the SU30 MKI.I have worked for HAL nasik division and have interacted with quite a few CTP’s to be in a decent position to give you a general perspective on the SU30MKI and its subsystems.
SU 30 MKI Airframe: MKI’s airframe is very similar to Russian base model irrespective of what others claim. It differs slightly on the load requirements that were presented to the Russians during the development. I left HAL 4 yrs ago, back then there were plans to use domestic material instead of Russian with same or better physical characteristics which is not necessarily an improvement performance wise but a cost saving measure.
Radar: PESA BARS N011 Bars is the biggest ace up IAF’s sleeve, without divulging into the details detecting range, I can very confidently say that this radar has better resolution, noise cancellation and detection range than Captor and RBE2 hands down. Nothing in the subcontinent can come close to this radar today. I am not fully aware of Chinese subsystems, but this was the take of two Russian CTP’s 4 years ago. I don’t think PAF’s jf 17 radar is as good, but that’s my perspective and I could be wrong.
SU 30 MKI another advantage it can function as airborne command post and has excellent ability to function as such due to the two person crew and its radar.
Avionics: Additional subsystems like the Israeli HUD, OLS 30, laser/infrared hybrid IRST or also called optical laser tracker is very handy device. IAF and USAF goes gaga over the litening pod, it is as good as it gets.
Upgrades: have been discussed to death, so won’t go there again
Misconception on this forum about MKI
Airshow aircraft
There is a general American sentiment of flanker that it is a airshow aircraft which has permeated especially in Pakistani members here. Although the thrust vectoring is something I wouldn’t credit in WVR, without its pucgahevs and tail slides, its still a very high tvr and is a very nimble and agile dogfighter. Its weapons loadout gives immense amount of firepower in WVR conflict with its inherent disadvantage being size.
Lets not forget a fact that SU 30 MKI despite its airshow maneuvers is an excellent high speed performer. Its avionics, radar and weapons load out makes it a deadly BVR platform.
MKI is a huge blip on the radar waiting to be shot down
To begin with I am not a big believer in BVR combat to the ranges that people think it is effective. BVR regime is most effective to half the radar tracking range sometimes even less. Jammers awacs , Self protection suites have equally evolved as have the BVR missiles. MKI is RCS is not much different from that of a F15SE and I don’t hear the American complain about it. Indian pilots that I have interacted with will never say anything against their plane , but from what I have heard from the Russian ctp’s SU27 and su30 are not straight up traditional A2A packages. The A2A combat philosophy is more of simultaneous staggered formations entering tactical area to obtain maximum results . Su 30 MkI is not a lone gun slinger which will go up and bring down an aircraft with every pull of the trigger as some of my fellow countrymen here believe.
Pakistan’s counter to SU30 MKI.
Theoretically you can bring down any aircraft with from fro any platform that PAF fields. Hitting a MKI is not miracle and is possible by almost every platform, But in my honest opinion the most effective platform that counters the threat of MKI’s firepower and range is PAF’s SAAB ERIEYE. Awacs platform has given the capability to PAF to detec MKI, SMT, UPG, M2k even a rustom that flies into Pakistani airspace and device a counter to thwart the treat. Hence I wouldn’t be rushing to order f22’s as of yet, PAF is very well prepared to faceoff IAF successfully at the present movement. SAAB erieye and the chiniese awacs platform will provide a stiff counter to whatever IAF throws at them.
