TechF-16 versus SU-30: An Indian pilot's insight on the aerial clash

F‑16 versus SU‑30: An Indian pilot's insight on the aerial clash

Western F-16 fighters will soon appear over Ukraine, whose opponents could include Russian Su-30SM aircraft. Is it possible to identify a clear favourite in this confrontation? Former Indian Air Force pilot Anil Chopra has commented on this.

Su-30 - illustrative photo
Su-30 - illustrative photo
Images source: © Getty Images | Mihail Siergiejevicz, SOPA Images
Norbert Garbarek

This is not the first time an expert opinion has been voiced in the context of comparing the capabilities of the F-16 with Russian designs. Recently, US aviator Jeffrey Fisher commented on American designs. The expert compared them with the latest designs currently in the Russian Federation, namely the Su-57.

The US pilot indicated that the F-16 has the advantage in this duo. However, it is worth noting that the Russians, indeed, do not have many Su-57s. They currently have about ten copies, so it can be stated with high probability that the opponents of the US aircraft in the sky will be other fighters—primarily the Su-30SM and Su-35. A former military pilot from India assessed their effectiveness in light of the F-16.

He previously flew a Russian fighter. He compares it to the F-16

Chopra notes that comparing the Su-30 to the F-16 is not entirely accurate. “It’s like comparing apples and oranges,” he explains. He points out that the performance of the Su-30SM should be compared with the F-15. Comparing the F-16, on the other hand, makes sense when evaluating the capabilities of the MiG-29s.

The difficulty in comparing the F-16 and the Su-30 arises from the fact that the Russian design is much larger than the American one. As a result, it is a fighter that is much easier to detect by radar and visually. According to the pilot, the Su-30 has an advantage over the F-16 in manoeuvrability at high attack angles and faster weapon targeting. “The Su-30 demonstrates greater agility and carries a larger payload,” Chopra comments.

However, the pilot notes that the F-16 has a better arsenal of missiles. “Currently, the American AIM-120 surpasses the Russian R-77 in range,” he stated, emphasizing that American F-16s will most likely be constantly targeted by intercepting MiG-31 fighters with six long-range missiles each.

The pilot identifies a key factor that will give an advantage

“Pilot skills will be the decisive factor in aerial encounters,” Chopra explains. The expert notes that the F-16s sent to Ukraine will not have “advanced radars and systems that can be found in the Block 70/72 variants” but will still have a chance in combat with Russian aircraft.

According to the Indian pilot, the chance for the Ukrainians lies in a specific strategy, which should be based on quickly closing in on the enemy and firing long-range missiles, and then quickly returning to the base. Ultimately, however, Chopra does not speak very favourably about the American F-16s and says frankly that in most scenarios, Russian fighters could pose a significant threat to the Ukrainians.

Let us recall that the F-16s that will go to the Ukrainian armed forces are designs with a length of just under 10 metres and a wingspan of about 15 metres. Under the American fighter, which accelerates to a speed of about 2 Ma (about 2400 km/h), there is room for armament mounted on nine weapon stations.

For comparison, the Su-30, which according to the expert is not a direct competitor to the F-16, measures nearly 22 metres in length and has wings with a wingspan of 15 metres. Additionally, it can carry armament on 12 stations.

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