The day UAE's F-16 Block 60 land in Sargodha AirBase with PAF markings, not only SU 30 MKI but Rafale will get in a tight spot too. I consider F-16 E/F more of a strike oriented aircraft than a air combat oriented aircraft, though it is excellent in both arenas. The consequent variants of F-16's such as V-Upgrade and Block 70 are basically based on basic Block 52+ but majorly on Block 60.
Starting with the Radar, APG-80 AESA, 1000 T/R, has a synthetic aperture mode added for ground strike capability, is LPI capable, can track 20 targets. Radar has "Ägile Beam" Capability, which reduces its probability of detection and interception by enemy radars. This is extremely useful in some important aspects:
1. Helps detect enemy aircrafts when their radars are switched OFF.
2. Along with LPI, detection by enemy passive radars becomes more difficult, even when AESA is ON and transmitting.
3. Becomes more harder for enemy to jam AgileBeam AESA Radar than a contemporary AESA radar.
Radar range against various targets:
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Some Put RCS of SU30 MKI at 5m2, 10m2, some at 20m2. So the above table can give an idea. I believe RCS changes depending upon of direction of radar and aircraft so between 5-20m2.
Conversely, Block 60's own RCS is 60-70% lesser than that of Block 52+, again direction dependent. This makes life hard for IAF MKI's and Rafale as well as SAM radars. APG 80 has been getting upgrades and is open for more upgrades, thus the effectiveness of this radar cannot be undermined in the Indo-Pak war scenario.
The FLIR system is either the ASQ-28 or AAQ-32 series. The laser designator range is around 30 km and IR range is 80-90 km, which is decent though depends upon many factors. It finds aerial targets, allowing passive targeting, and offering a tracking option that stealth won’t evade.
Where as the PAF Block 52+'s have ALQ-211 AIDEW without Digital Radio Frequency Memory and Block 15's have AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Counter Measures pod without DRFM, the Block 60 has ALQ-165 electronic countermeasures system, also known as the Airborne Self-Protection Jammer (ASPJ), which is an automated modular reprogrammable active radar frequency (RF) deception jammer designed and contribute to the electronic self protection of the host tactical aircraft from a variety of air to air and surface to air RF threats. The ASPJ was designed to accomplish threat sorting, threat identification, and jamming management in a dense signal environment to counter multiple threats. So whats significant about ASPJ ? It had to go through a passive missile warning system update apart from active missile warning threat, that update might have gone through by now.
In the start I talked about F-16 Block 60 as a strike aircraft, i had CFT's in mind along with AESA Radar with SA mode, which not only increases range but also frees up pylons for strike payload. The range could increase up to 40%, which is definitely critical in many mission types, whether aerial, ground or naval. The engine thrust is increased (32500 Lb's) which caters for more fuel weight/payload if necessary. The overall increase in payload is around 1500 KG's.
In the weapon category, Block 60 would have created headache for IAF by bringing in the AGM 154 JSOW with range between 20-130 km's, depending upon release altitude. PAF's F-16s donot carry a long range air to ground missile, the H-2/H-4 can be carried by JF-17 or Mirage III/V. The ALCM category of AGM-84E SLAM with range of 110 km wouldn't have replaced Raád but creates redundancy in ALCM launch capability. The extended range also helps in CAP's, escorts and dog fights, as it helps extend the range of Aim120C5 AMRAAM by getting cushion in range which helps in pursuit with larger combat radius(as well as high altitude release). Aim-9X would give lethal edge to PAF against all IAF fighters with JHMCS in WVR domain. Through this way, F-16 Block 60 are capable of replacing PAF's Mirage III/V fleet (minus the ALCM Raád Integration).
Directing to combat against SU-30 MKI, the edge of RCS, Aim9x, CFT's, AESA and EW suite would have negated Flanker's advantage in every domain. The look first, shoot first concept will put Block 60 on edge against SU 30 MKI in air combat.
Though Block 60 cannot carry the same payload of MKI, but extended range of AGM's and the aircraft itself would make life hell for IAF fighters and SAM's. SEAD missions of F-16's would become possible for PAF and not just with AGM-88 HARM's but also with JSOW and SLAM.
PAF has contended to religious use of EW aircraft, F-16 Block 60 can provide similar capabilities when DA-20 is absent from a theatre. This F-16 can lead and guide JF-17 Block I/II's into strike missions, providing escort also if necessary. As the JF-17's return after strike, Block 60 has the ability to loiter abit longer and take out enemy aircrafts chasing JF-17's. Conversely on a strike mission, it poses a considerate threat to IAF ground radars and IN naval assets especially to IN ships using AGM-84 Harpoon as well as against IN Mig-29K's. Block 60 can also run CAP's in PN's territory with good fuel capacity providing defence for Maritime aircrafts with mid air refuelling downtime better than other PAF's aircrafts.
F-16 Block 60 basically fills in the gap where a long range strike fighter has been ascertained by members here. It brings the avionics and electronics along with weapon profile to counter SU 30 MKI in the air with more proficiency than PAF's current F-16's.