Sunday Times!! F18SH is Favourite for MRCA

[Desertfalcon]

Whatever technology is being developed for the Su-35, can be retrofit on the Su-30MKI.

The second but major purpose of the MRCA is to kickstart the aerospace sector in India with infusion of technology. That can come from the west.

Thirdly, we need a Medum Weight plane, Su-35 overlaps with the Su-30MKI, so there is no point in getting that.

Fourth-Buying Russian would make IAF 100% dependent on Russia-you can figure out the rest. India has traditionally maintained a balance with Eastern and Western Fighters.

Got it. That makes sense. I had read somewhere that the Su's, Su-30's, I guess, were criticized by the IAF for failing to live up to their capability in the Kargil operations. I've just been wondering about some news I've heard about backing of somewhat on reliance on the Sukhoi design.

 

[duhastmish]

Got it. That makes sense. I had read somewhere that the Su's, Su-30's, I guess, were criticized by the IAF for failing to live up to their capability in the Kargil operations. I've just been wondering about some news I've heard about backing of somewhat on reliance on the Sukhoi design.

Dude you must have read it in some - fictional story. because indian never had su-30 mk1 during kargil.

and more over indian pilots love this machine , i never heard a single pilot complaining anything about this fighter.

 

[Desertfalcon]

You are correect. My mistake, but I did read that it was because of experiances in Kargil that the IAF became hesitant over the Su-30MKI/Su-35 series. I did find this...

"The Mirage-2000-5 and the SU-30K were the two aircraft that were considered to be feasible alternatives to replace obsolescent aircraft that the, (Indian), Air Force planned to phase out."

"The Ministry selected the SU-30K on the grounds that after upgradation into a multi-role aircraft (to be designated SU-30MK) it would still be cheaper than the Mirage-2000-5 and also have superior capabilities in terms of range and the load delivery. It should be noted, however, that the relative superiority of the SU-30MK was based on assumptions that certain avionics systems which were only conceptualised at that stage, would be successfully designed/developed in India and others would be imported from Western sources and then integrated into the SU-30K in order to enhance its capabilities, from a purely air defence role to multi-role capabilities."

"The shortcomings of the SU-30K arose from the fact that it was designed and optimised for an air defence role. Their electronic warfare system was unsuitable to meet the Indian threat environment and the radar performance was below expectation. The navigation system lacked accuracy, very limited capability existed for accurate weapon delivery and weapon system controls were poorly integrated. Although, the aircraft was capable of a large weapon load, the air to ground armament did not include any precision guided munitions, a key requirement during the Kargil Operation."

Indian Air Force and Su-30MKI Aquisition.

My post wasn't completely unfounded. I remembered I had read something similar to this in an Air Force publication. It's because of this that I was wondering about the IAF's desire to acquire either F-18's, F-16's, Grippen or other A/C.

 

[sancho]

Its about the numbers. we need these fighter for quantity not quality for quality - we can go for -pak-fa or JSF . american are more than happy to deliver them.

Here i think Rafael will be best choice it meets all the indian requirments. without going in to slippery american hands.

No sir, it WAS about numbers in the first competition when Mirage, F16, Mig 29 and Gripen was the contenders. If we only wanted numbers we had added more Mig 29, or Mirage fighters. The aircraft now in the competition offers way more new capabilities like AESA radar, supercruise, or TVC and especially that IAF wants as much ToT as possible hints that the quality is a a big issue!
If US were so happy to deliver JSF, they would offer them now instead of F16IN and not anytime later, also it must be clear that we won't get ToT from them.

 

[maverick2009]

SU30MKI entered Service in 2003

SU30K the basic flanker which india phased out in 2007 WITH JUST 18 in service came in 2001.

During Kargil in 199 the IAF had approx
45 mirage 2000,
70 Mig29,
200 mig27/23
300+ mig21
80+ Jaguar

The only BVR capable fighters where the MIG29 & MIRAGE 2000...

 

[TOPGUN]

I think india will go with f-18's!

 

[sancho]

You are correect. My mistake, but I did read that it was because of experiances in Kargil that the IAF became hesitant over the Su-30MKI/Su-35 series...
...My post wasn't completely unfounded. I remembered I had read something similar to this in an Air Force publication. It's because of this that I was wondering about the IAF's desire to acquire either F-18's, F-16's, Grippen or other A/C.

As the article you posted shows the MKI has way different multi role capabilities then the first Su 30Ks, but I don't think MMRCA is related to Su 30s performance in Kargil. Strike might be an issue, but mainly combined with a low RCS and good survivability for preemtive strikes, or seed missions. The big RCS of MKI could be a problem when it comes to such missions, specially if the other side has AWACS support. But nearly all MMRCA would be useful in this role with good weapons, EWS and defense capabilities like towed decoy.

SU30K the basic flanker which india phased out in 2007 WITH JUST 18 in service came in 2001.

Check this:

On 30 November 1996 Russia and India signed a contract for the delivery of 50 Su-30MK multi-purpose twin-seat fighters, also known as Su-30MKI (I for India). The first eight aircraft had capabilities as the Su-30K, the other ten had already some of the multi-role improvements added.

First delivered: Spring 1997 (Su-30K)

MILAVIA Aircraft - Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker Operators

So there were some Su 30 during Kargil war but as Desert Falcon said they wasn't that capable like they are now.