PAF F-16s MLUs are not exactly comparable to Bloc-52 versions AFAIK. Chances of the Current F-16s to lock on the MKI is doubtful, though in WVR the pilot's skill-set also gets into play. However in a BVR scenario the Falcon gets outsmarted. The MKI isn't a purely Russian aircraft, the avionics are a mix of Russian, French, Israeli and Indian gear. For example the HUD is an Israeli Elbit unit. So the radar and other avionics in the F16 doesn't offer any advantage as in case with typical Russian Aircrafts.
Why is a lock-on doubtful? Many, many lock-ons have happened in the region, why is this so hard to swallow? Just because the pride of the IAF was locked-on? Big deal if the HUD is Israeli...PAF flies aircraft with HUDs from US, France and China...what does that mean? Just because its Israeli, is there an inherent assumption of superiority here?
The quality of the N011-M Bars PESA radar is far superior to any other radar in entire asia. India has got its capabilities multifold by replacing the entire data processor. Radar is very important element in any BVR engagement, obviously the F-16 loses out there. One interesting aspect of the Bars is, that it can, through mechanical and electronic steering, detect a target at 60km in the rear quadrant. The radar was initially designed to detect an F-16 at 140-160kms.
Same old arguments over and over. So what if the BARS radar can see out to 140km?...does that serve the purpose for which the flight was intended? Maybe the idea was to probe the PAF air defences and reaction time and not to conduct a sweep of the aircraft in the air at that time for which the BARS' extended range would come handy. Secondly, all of the above numbers are essentially theoretical and at best. They do not take into account defensive ECMs being deployed by the other side (remember the much boasted about "near blindness suffered by the USAF F-15s against the IAF Mig-21s? Do you think that MKI radar is immune to ECM?).
The ECM is also Israeli, when used to its full capability, it will probably perform very well against the likes of Rafaels and Eurofighters, which are better comparisons to the MKIs. The F-16's capabilities were very much kept in mind while designing the avionics and ECM for the MKIs, because the F-16s are very well known to the Israelis, much more than the PAF.
The ECM suite on the MKI is the same as that deployed on the Israeli F-16s. It was designed before the newer versions of ECM suites were available on the US blk-52 F-16s. AIDEWS ALQ-211 being deployed on the PAF F-16s is still undergoing test trials right now and promises more advanced ECM capabilities than what you have on the MKI (simply owing to the fact that it has more updated threat libraries and capabilities than the older generation hardware that is on the MKI and the Israeli aircraft). Secondly, even the older PAF F-16s have pretty decent self-protection suites on them.
So, even in a hypothetical situation wherein a F-16C manages to see the MKI, and as the fight developes, the aircraft would burn fuel fast in avoiding missiles and manoeuvering for shots, the F-16C would get more manoeuverable faster than the Su30 owing to its smaller size. But the MKI can keep firing in missiles and causing the F-16 to evade. If they got to visual range combat then things start to turn very sticky for the F-16. Though it can accelerate faster by now, but it only has a couple of shots and it is fighting an opponent that can point in any direction to lock on and launch its missiles. In the end the F-16 is going to run out of fuel and missiles and find itself in a fight with an ultra manoeuverable and still heavily armed MKI that can still afford to use afterburner that even has a 2nd crew member to help maintain situational awareness.
All of the above is hypothetical and very text bookish. The pros and cons have been discussed by pros and amateurs alike on this forum and many others about how the F-16 can be employed effectively against MKI or other aircraft. Your points about running out of fuel and stores is a fairly invalid point. Pilots are aware of where things are and this is usually not a 1v1 type of a situation. When you come over to the Pakistan side, you will not be dealing with the numbers that your MKI crews are comfortable with. In WVR engagement, the F-16 could go to guns and given the huge size of the MKI, it may not be too hard to kill. MKI could also do the same using the TVCs etc. to its advantage, however the bottom line is that nothing is for certain.
The MKI is more a peer of the EF Typhoon and Rafael, neither of which would have much trouble taking out an F-16.
F-16 holds it own against both of the other given the flight regime you are talking about. Italian air force tested out their F-16As against the Typhoon and in certain flight regimes/altitudes, the F-16s gave the Typhoon as good as they got from it. Secondly, the newer generation of F-16s with JHMCS and BVR weaponry are more than a match for the above types you quote here (The USAF F-16s deployed against the IAF MKIs did not have either, however a USAF pilot told me (personally) that if he had the JHMCS, he would have been lighting up IAF fighters (MKI, Fulcrum and especially the Bison) fairly easily. Effective employment is the key, not just the technology and shiny kit syndrome which afflicts many.
