Ground Role:
The Su-35 is a predominantly Air Interdiction/ Air Superiority Fighter.. Although it can also undertake ground missions, it will be a very over performing asset for a ground missions. It will be very effective to shoot invading aircraft out of the sky. But for ground attack missions,
its cost of operating per flight hour will be expensive compared to that of the Rafale. Also, India already operates 272
Su-30MKI which is similar in performance capabilities to the Su-35.... The Rafale is easier to maintain, it has a lower RCS compared to the Su-35 which means it can undertake
Hi-Lo-Hi missions. The comparable aircraft in Ground attack capabilities to that of the
Rafale would be the
Su-34...
India already operates the High End Sukhois and is also going to induct the Light Spectrum LCAs... It needs to fill in the intermediate role for a combat aircraft which has both Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground capabilities.... The Rafale is the best aircraft in this unique category and it beats all of its competitors by a comfortable margin.
Air Role:
Rafale’s placement of canards, which are close coupled to the wing, means that outboard canard vortices energize wing tips regardless of the angle of attack. This results in excellent roll onset rate at all flight conditions, allowing aircraft to be flown with rapid reversals of flight directions instead of rolling pulls. Canards also create an area of low pressure on forward part of the wing, which results in a significant pitch-up tendency and consequently in rapid pitch onset rate. climb rate is 305 m/s, indicating very good acceleration, while wing loading of 275 kg/m2 at combat weight gives it instantaneous turn rate unmatched among Western fighters, especially when combained with close-coupled canard’s favorable effects on wing lift at high angles of attack. Thrust-to-weight ratio is 1,2 at combat weight, and allows it good sustained turn rate, especially when combined with its very high lift to drag ratio.
Su-35's climb rate is 280 m/s, indicating acceleration inferior to the Su-30 as well as Rafale, Typhoon, J-11, J-10. Wing loading at combat weight is 377 kg/m2, indicating comparably low but still borderline adequate instantaneous turn rate. Thrust-to-weight ratio of 1,24 indicates an adequate sustained turn rate.
It has large visual and IR signatures harm its ability to surprise the enemy, while its own ability to detect surprise bounces is limited due to inadequate rearward visibility.
The Rafale has low-wing loading capability when compared with the Su-35 and even with Typhoon, this results in good turn performance; as low wing loading results in high gust sensitivity and is thus undesireable for strike aircraft. Very low wing loading makes them obvious to be optimized for air superiority.
Su-35's large size and high weight results in inferior maneuverability in air combat when compared to Rafale. Although Su-35 is equipped with TVC, it will not make it more maneuverable than Rafale
Su-35 has better aerodynamics than F-15 or F-16, yes it maybe the best in its class, still inferior to the Rafale.
I hope this satisfies your query...