Air Combat Match-ups: India Vs. Pakistan
India
The main air superiority fighter of the Indian Air Force is the Su-30MKI. This is the top of the line multi-role fighter, jointly produced by Russia's Sukhoi and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It has a top speed of Mach 2.35, and a cruising range of 2,700 miles. The climb rate is 70,000 feet per minute, with a service ceiling of 58,000 feet. The fighter is a 4.5 Generation aircraft, featuring advanced vectored thrust nozzles, a Russian passive phased array radar, and a mixture of Russian, French, Israeli, and Indian electronics. The fighter can carry a blistering array of air to air and air to surface missiles, as well as laser guided bombs.
Backing the Su-30MKI up are Russian-made MiG-29s. First introduced by the Soviets in 1983, the MiG-29 is a two-engined answer to the US F-16, and is in some ways superior. It has a maximum speed of 1,518 mph with a combat radius of 430 miles. It can carry up to 7,720 lbs of missiles, bombs, pods, and drop tanks on its six hard-points.
India also flies the French-made Mirage 2000. This is a single-engined, delta-winged fighter with a top speed of March 2.2 and a range of 850 miles on drop tanks. The rate of climb is 56,000 feet per minute, and the service ceiling is 59,000 feet. It comes armed with 2 30mm cannon, and nine hard points for air to air and air to surface missiles. The main air to air missile is the MDBA MICA, with a range of up to 60 km.
Finally, India has a strategy of using large numbers of modernized MiG-21s to overwhelm intruders into their air space, used to great effect against the US Air Force in war games. They are soon due to be replaced, but in the meantime these venerable 1960s era planes are still flying with improved Russian and Israeli electronics. They can do Mach 2.2, manage a range of 750 miles while cruising, have a service ceiling of 58,400 feet, and can carry 2 to 4 air to air missiles.
Pakistan
The main air superiority fighter of Pakistan is now the Chinese-made multi-role J-10. The plane can reach Mach 2.2, had a range of 1,340 miles, and a service ceiling of 65,600 feet. It is armed with a variety of Chinese-made missiles and bombs, and carries a 23mm cannon.
Their other main fighter is the multi-role, American-made F-16 fighter. This plane is arguably the most popular single-engined fighter aircraft in the Western world. The F-16 is a nimble fighter with a combat radius of 340 miles, a top speed of 1,500 mph, competitive electronics, a 20mm vulcan cannon, and as many as 6 air to air missiles.
Like India, Pakistan fills out their fleet with a large number of older planes, in this case the Chinese version of the MiG-21. Called the J-7, this version uses Italian electronics, a pair of 30mm cannon, and can carry up to 5 missiles. The Pakistanis use it as an interceptor, and plan to replace the plane in the near future.
WINNER: INDIA!
The problem with this comparison is that so little is known about the Chinese J-10. There are so many rumors and deliberate misinformation from the Chinese government that it is impossible to know what the engine and electronics for a given block of J-10s might be. It could be an average 4th Generation plane, or a fully capable 4.5 Generation plane. No one really knows, but it is doubtful that the plane is as capable as the Su-30. That is certain, because if it were not the Chinese would not be building their own version of the plane under license!
The Indian Mirage 2000-5s and MiG-29s have a slight edge over the F-16A/Bs of the Pakistani Air Force, and are roughly the same as Pakistan's newer C/D models. The Pakistani J-7 and Indian MiG-21 are roughly the same.
The end analysis is that India flies a markedly better plane at the top of the pyramid, a slightly better set of planes in the middle, and equal planes at the bottom.
Sources: http://indianairforce.nic.in/; http://globalsecurity.com; http://www.paf.gov.pk/
Published by Rich Thomas - Featured Contributor in Travel
A Kentuckian and longtime resident of Washington, DC with an MA in international affairs, Thomas splits his time between American and Portugal. He works as a freelance writer both in print and online, writin... View profile
- Islamic Militant Groups in Pakistan: Kashmir & Beyond An overview of different fundamentalist groups in Pakistan that are not part of the Taliban.
- Taliban Taking Over of Pakistan Taliban has ultimately succeeded by forcefully making the elected government of Pakistan to accept the cease fire in Swat Valley.
- John Solecki, American U.N. Worker, Kidnapped in Pakistan An American worker for the United Nations has been kidnapped in Pakistan. His driver was killed in the ambush.
- Casteism and Untouchability in India The caste system originated in ancient India among Hindus, and was initially based on the division of labor. One theory of the origins of Casteism postulates that it developed in a small village by the Sindhu River.
- Guide to India Pale Ale Beer does not tend to be as "fashionable" with trends as wine is. Even with that said, it is undeniable that there is usually a beer that is more popular than others at any given time. Recent trends have seen the pop...
- Ten Reasons Why You Should Not Buy Flight-ticket for Air India
- Strike Aircraft Match-ups: India vs. Pakistan
- Destroyer Match-Ups: India vs. Pakistan
- Submarine Match-Ups: India Vs. Pakistan
- Attack Helicopter Match-Ups: India vs. Pakistan
- Naval Aircraft Match-Ups: Pakistan Vs. India
- How to Plan a Medical Trip to India
|
|
4 Comments
Post a CommentThis author does not tolerate trolls, whether they be of the foul-mouthed, the anonymous and cowardly, the ignorant, or the jingoistic variety.
In the simulated combat exercises with the USAF, India fared very well, and I think it was intended to model aggression by Pakistan, so I'd put my money on India, if I were you.
The game will change again when the FGFA comes to India.
All Pakistan can do is use harsh language and propoganda via Moin Ansari and rupeenews
... so come Pakistan, try your luck and get a taste of famous Indian style shillaleigh during the beatdown you've had coming to you for a very long time.
This series is meant to be a comparison of equipment in service at the time of publication. Period.
You can not declare India a winner oinly based on quality of planes. However, that could also be argued. Pakistani pilot are much better than Indians as was evident in previous engagements. That is single most important factor in any war. I think if anything they are equal or Pakistan having a slight edge.