IAF Sukhoi-30MK1 outguns RSAF F-16C

pirate · by **pirate** » 23 Oct 2004, 02:04

India need not lose sleep even if Pakistan manages to acquire more F-16 fighters from the US. After plastering American combat pilots in an exercise earlier this year, IAF top guns now have another reason to be gung ho: their top-notch mean machines have proved more than a match for F-16s, the much-vaunted 'fighting falcons'.

Russian-origin Sukhoi-30MKI jets are apparently outgunning American F-16s on "several aspects" at the ongoing Indo-Singapore air combat exercise in Gwalior.

This is the first-ever face-off between these two sophisticated war machines originating from the two former Cold War adversaries.

"Our Sukhois are doing very well against the F-16Cs (of Singapore Air Force) in terms of manoeuvrability, sophistication of avionics and weapon systems. Similarly, our MiG-29s and Mirage-2000s are also matching up to the F-16s," say IAF sources.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/arti ... urpg-1.cms

Rigamortis · by **Rigamortis** » 23 Oct 2004, 08:24

I know that when I was at Eglin we would fly turkey shoot competions against the F-15's there. The F-15's won the first one due to the fact that restricted the F-16's to a narrow strike corridor and the ROE was that the aircraft had to stay within the bounds of the of the corridor. So it turned into a shooting gallery for the Eagles. The next time we had one they put no corridor retrictions on the Falcons and it turned out very different. Alot of the outcome in trainig scenerios depends on the ROE's put in place. I would rather hear form the pilots themselves than a news source that doesnt state who gave the info.

Rigo

pirate · by **pirate** » 23 Oct 2004, 13:12

Well we all know that during Cope India, the USAF F-15s were under strict rules of engagement. Restricted BVR and 12 vs 4. Not surprise if the RSAF suffers the same fate. The eagles had the JHMCS and AIM-9x. The RSAF brought along DASH, missile seen at Exercise Western Arc was the AIM-9s.

habu2 · by **habu2** » 23 Oct 2004, 16:32

After reading the linked article, I see nothing to indicate they are claiming superiority over the F-16s, everything reads "matching up well" not "mopping the floor with them". Again, like the F-15 exercise, I doubt we are getting the real story at this time.

pirate · by **pirate** » 24 Oct 2004, 15:58

Suppose to be tomorrow's news but I post it here early for all to read:

Singapore's Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Lim Kim Choon will be visiting New Delhi, Gwalior, Jodhpur and Agra during his introductory visit to India from 24 to 29 Oct 04. MG Lim will also visit the ongoing exercise between the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Gwalior Air Force Station.

and

The Singapore Ministry of Defense issued a statement to clarify an Indian newspaper report on the ongoing Exercise SINDEX.

the MINDEF Spokesman said:

"We can understand why the Indian media would come out with a sensational story like this.

Zephyr · by **Zephyr** » 25 Oct 2004, 13:06

With airspace running out for singapore why not?
In any large scale excercise its always easy to tweak the odds to your side especially if you are the host nation
Go India!!!

EriktheF16462 · by **EriktheF16462** » 25 Oct 2004, 13:43

Also it is the Singapore AF, granted they are good pilots but are they as good as USAF combat proven drivers? Do they have the same intel, AWACS support etc that the USAF crews have. It is the entire team that counts not just one on one.

elp · by **elp** » 25 Oct 2004, 16:05

You mentioned MKI's . Were they MKI's? or just the K models?

DeepSpace · by **DeepSpace** » 25 Oct 2004, 20:00

elp, against the USAF the Indians used the K's. These days, against the RSAF they are using the MKI's.

SwedgeII · by **SwedgeII** » 26 Oct 2004, 19:15

It should be able to do that... whats the big deal??

Pumpkin · by **Pumpkin** » 26 Oct 2004, 22:41

DeepSpace wrote:elp, against the USAF the Indians used the K's. These days, against the RSAF they are using the MKI's.

or both? Found this oneline photo from Indian news(?). DeepSpace, by any chance, you have came across more photos, from where you're now?

As for the results, I guess no one can tell for sure other than the official news by the both parties. But the experiences gained from the DACT can't be more valuable for the RSAF. Simulated kills, (should there be any) by the Flankers/Fulcrums (did IAF Mig-29 participated in the exercise?) can only be, for formulating better course of actions.

cheers,

habu2 · by **habu2** » 26 Oct 2004, 23:49

Everyone needs to remember this is an exercise, not a contest. Scenarios are preset and scripted, and there are no "winners". Anyone who doubts this does not understand the purpose of the exercise.

pirate · by **pirate** » 28 Oct 2004, 02:49

<a href="mms://media.mindef.gov.sg/26oct04_EXsindex_hi.asf">Video</a>

Video of the exercise. In the video, an F-16 is shown to be carrying an AMRAAM round on the starboard wingtip. Can anyone confirm?

Gus · by **Gus** » 28 Oct 2004, 04:00

Looked to me like AIM-9s

Gus

pirate · by **pirate** » 28 Oct 2004, 06:12

Gus wrote:Looked to me like AIM-9s

Gus

I'm talking about the one that appear on 42 seconds into the Video, the port side is an AIM-9S, the starboard side one looks much longer.