Su-30MKI took part in training battles with western fighters
In mid-June, Russian-made combat aircraft appeared in the French sky. Su-30MKI with the insignia of the Indian Air Force took part in the international aviation exercises "Garuda 4", in which the aircraft of the French and Singapore air forces were also involved.
We can say that the invitation of the Su-30MKI to these maneuvers became a visible evidence of the success and worldwide recognition of this aircraft on the eve of the small anniversary of the progenitor of the entire family of Russian heavy fighters of the fourth generation. July 5, 2010 marks 25 years since the Su-27 began to enter service with the USSR Air Force.
The first to receive new combat aircraft with tail numbers 0803 N05 and 0705 N06 was the 60th Fighter Aviation Regiment, based at the Dzemgi airfield in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. For all known reasons, today our Air Force cannot boast of the presence in its composition of the most modern variants of the Su-27, traditionally belonging to the “4+” generation: they are operated mainly abroad. For the time being, Russian military pilots have to be content with modernized Soviet-built Su-27s. In this regard, it is noteworthy that the vehicle with tail numbers 0803 N05 is still listed in the fleet of Russian military aviation and is currently undergoing scheduled repairs in Novosibirsk. True, the situation is beginning to change for the better. Let us recall that in accordance with the contract signed during the MAKS-2009 air show, the Russian Air Force in the period from 2010 to 2015 inclusive must acquire 48 newest multifunctional super-maneuverable Su-35S fighters. It is very important that Russia became the first buyer of the Su-35 "4 ++" generation aircraft, although it was created mainly with the expectation of export contracts.
In the meantime, foreign pilots use such qualities of Su-brand fighters as multifunctionality and super-maneuverability. Su-30MKI during the exercise "Garuda 4" (Garuda in Hinduism - the fighting bird of the god Vishnu), which took place from 14 to 25 June, confirmed their high tactical and technical characteristics.
Six vehicles of the 8th squadron from the Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force, accompanied by two Il-78MKI tankers and an Il-76MD transport aircraft, flew to the south of France from the Bareilly airbase. During the exercises, they were at the airfield of the 125 Istra airbase. From the French Air Force, four Mirage 2000C / RDI fighters of the 2/5 Ile-de-France squadron, also stationed at Istres, took part in the exercise, five Mirage 2000-5F squadrons 1/2 "Storks" operating from the airbase 115 Orange, KC-135FR tankers. Other aircraft from the Air Force and Air Force of the French Navy were also involved in the implementation of training tasks, including the latest French Rafale fighters. The Singapore Air Force was represented by six F-16D + (Block 52) fighters from 145 Squadron and a KC-135R tanker. A total of 180 troops from India and 120 from Singapore arrived in France.
The scenario of the exercise provided for both the practice of single and group (in pairs and fours) air battles, and the interception of enemy aircraft, escorting transport winged vehicles and striking targets on the ground.
For French pilots, joint actions with counterparts from non-NATO countries provide an opportunity to move away from the usual patterns and tactics, as, indeed, representatives of India and Singapore.
However, for us, of course, the assessment of Russian-designed aircraft by representatives of foreign air forces is more interesting. According to the reviews of the direct participants of the Garuda 4 exercises, which were reflected in the French media, they were impressed by the capabilities of the N-011M Bars radar with a passive phased antenna array. As you know, this radar in the "air-to-air" mode provides tracking of up to 15 targets on the passage, accurate tracking of at least 4 targets to ensure the use of weapons without stopping the search, and capture of a "fighter" -type target at a distance of 120-140 km.
The French liked the dynamic and maneuverable characteristics of a heavy Russian vehicle equipped with AL-31FP engines. They have a controlled thrust vector, although Indian pilots did not use it during maneuvers. Foreign observers were also impressed by the range of weapons of the Russian vehicle, in particular the R-77, R-27 and R-73 air-to-air missiles.
Representatives of the French Air Force did not hesitate, of course, to note that the lighter Mirages are superior to the Sukhikhs in close maneuvering combat, but air fights of this type in modern conditions are unlikely to take place in reality. Also, the French did not miss the opportunity to advertise the SPECTRA electronic warfare system installed on Rafale fighters.
It is worth noting here that a commercial component is inevitably intertwined with the French's assessment of the characteristics of the Su-30MKI and the capabilities of their own Rafale and Mirage fighters. After all, Rafale is participating in the Indian Air Force's tender for the purchase of 126 fighters under the MMRCA program. The French aircraft, of course, can hardly be called the favorite of this competition, but the military of the Fifth Republic did not miss the opportunity to once again show their goods with their face and provided the opportunity for some Indian pilots to fly to Rafale in the co-pilot's seat. France is also counting on signing a contract for the modernization of fifty Mirage 2000 fighters from the Indian Air Force. The rival of Thales in this direction is the Israeli defense enterprises.
Be that as it may, but in Delhi have already decided what type of fighter in the near future will be the most massive in the Indian military aviation. On June 28, the country's government approved the allocation of $ 3.235 billion for the purchase of an additional batch of 42 Su-30MKI aircraft. This decision marks the final end of the era of domination of the MiG-21 aircraft in the Indian Air Force.
The initial contract for 50 Su-30MKI fighters was signed in 1996. Four years later, India ordered another 40 aircraft of this type, and also acquired a license to manufacture 140 aircraft from Russian aircraft kits. HAL has already supplied 74 fighters of its own assembly to the Air Force. Thus, the Indian Air Force by 2018 will have the world's largest fleet of Su-30MKI - 270 units.
