Recently, comparisons of Russian and Western military equipment have been regularly carried out by foreign media. As you might guess, Western experts think their technique is better. Russian specialists think the same way.
The National Interest last week compared the capabilities of the Su-30 and the F22. Now the turn has come to European fighters. Dave Majumdar, a military columnist for the American edition, tried to find out who will win in the air battle: the Russian Su-35 multipurpose fighter or the European Eurofighter Typhoon.
The choice for comparison is not accidental, because the Eurofighter is in service with the air forces of many European countries, including Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain. NI believes that it will be able to withstand air combat against the best Russian fighters without any problems. Such, for example, as the Su-35.
Recent training flights of the British Air Force Typhoon with the Indian Air Force Su-30 MKI show that these aircraft are quite comparable in flight and other characteristics.
“First impressions of the Flanker (this is the name of the Su-35 in NATO terminology) are very positive,” British squadron commander Chris Moon, who participated in those flights, said in an interview with NI. him on our Typhoons."
Indian pilots also have the most favorable impressions of European fighters. They believe that the Su-35 and the Eurofighter Typhoon are roughly equal.
“Both aircraft of the fourth generation, - explained the commander of the Indian squadron Avi Arya. - Both have quite comparable characteristics. The first place is taken by the pilot sitting at the helm."
The main thing in cases of confrontation between approximately equal aircraft is the full use of the strengths of the aircraft and the avoidance of weaknesses.
The main advantage of the Su-35, according to NI, is its excellent maneuverability thanks to the engines with thrust vector control.
European fighters are much better, according to Dave Majumdar, the cockpit and its interface, as well as the sensors.
However, the main advantage in the very near future will be Meteor missiles, long-range air-to-air missiles with an active radar seeker. Until a weapon of the same power and efficiency appears on the Su-35, the Eurofighter Typhoon will have a definite advantage in battle.
Russian military experts disagree with this conclusion. For example, military observer Viktor Litovkin, who believes that the Su-35 is more functional and capable not only of fighting the enemy in the air, but also destroying targets on land and water, as well as supporting the offensive of ground forces.
In terms of ammunition, the Su-35 surpasses the Typhoon by one and a half times: 9 and 6.5 tons, respectively.
Our fighter is capable of detecting a target at a distance of 400 km, while the European one is only 300 km away. Moreover, Viktor Litovkin claims, the Typhoon, unlike the Su-35, is not equipped with a warning system about the launch of enemy missiles. Meanwhile, this system gives the pilot a few precious seconds to maneuver.
In conclusion, the Russian expert concludes that it is the Su-35, due to its better maneuverability, that it has more chances to defeat the Eurofighter Typhoon in aerial combat.
