Editorial by Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd.)
Pakistan PAF AMRAAM-equipped F-16s and IAF R-77 and R-27ER-equipped Su-30 MKIs engaged in a limited beyond visual range (BVR) combat the day after the Balakot attacks in 2019. The main lesson learnt from the battle was the importance of the range advantage of BVR missiles in aerial combat.
A Russian Su-35 and an American F-16 engaged in close combat in Syria. On April 2, 2023, a Russian Su-35 reportedly conducted an unsafe and unprofessional intercept of an American F-16 aircraft.
U.S. Central Command lamented a “significant increase” in aggressive Russian flights over Syria and released video footage of two separate interactions between U.S. aircraft and fully armed Russian Su-35 Flanker-Es over Syria. The videos were reportedly captured using the aircraft’s targeting pods and other sensor systems.
When Ukraine introduces the F-16, it will face off against the Russian Sukhoi Su-27, Su-30, and Su-35 in aerial combat. One Ukrainian pilot who has flown the F-16 said that his country’s Su-27 is better and will definitely outgun the F-16 in a dogfight. We need to understand and evaluate the truth.
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics (later Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American single-engine supersonic multi-role fighter aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force (USAF). Although originally designed as an air superiority fighter, it has proven to be a successful all-weather utility aircraft, with over 4,600 built since 1976.
The aircraft first flew in January 1974 and joined the U.S. Air Force in August 1978. The U.S. Air Force no longer purchases them, but improved versions are built for export. The F-16 has been procured by the air forces of 28 other countries. There are currently 2,145 F-16s in service, the most of any single type in service anywhere in the world. Production continues, and at least five more countries are in the acquisition process.
When first introduced, the aircraft’s greatest strength was its fly-by-wire static stability, which gave it excellent maneuverability, and its combination of airborne radar and BVR missiles made it a capable fighter. The aircraft has been continuously upgraded and now features wing-root conformal containers.
F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine
After losing many fighter jets to the ground, Ukraine had been seeking more modern fighter jets from Western countries, many of whose air forces were in the process of replacing their F-16s with F-35s.
In May 2023, an international coalition of Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark announced their intention to train Ukrainian jet pilots in F-16s ahead of future deliveries in order to boost the Ukrainian Air Force’s capabilities in the current Russia-Ukraine war.
Denmark provided aircraft for training. Romania offered to host a future training center. Many Ukrainian pilots have begun training in Denmark and the United States. On August 17, 2023, the United States approved the transfer of F-16s from the Netherlands and Denmark to Ukraine after Ukrainian pilots have completed their training.
The two countries plan to donate up to 61 F-16 AM/BM Block 15 MLU fighter jets to Ukraine, bringing the total number of F-16s provided to Ukraine to 85. The fighters are expected to be deployed in Ukrainian skies by the end of summer 2024.
The Block 15 Mid-Life Update (MLU) standard saw improvements to the IFF system, radios, radar, and the capability to carry advanced BVR missiles (AIM-120), bringing it on par with the F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft.
Su-30
The Sukhoi Su-30 MKI is a two-seater, twin-engine, multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and produced under license by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force. It is a derivative of the Sukhoi Su-30/Su-27 series and is an all-weather, long-range, heavy fighter.
The aircraft is specially designed to Indian specifications, integrating Indian systems and avionics, as well as French and Israeli subsystems. The aircraft has similar capabilities to the Sukhoi Su-35, with which it shares many features and components. The first Russian-made Su-30MKI was accepted by the IAF in 2002. The first Indian-assembled Su-30MKI entered service in November 2004. The aircraft is the IAF’s mainstay, with around 260 in service.
India plans to upgrade the aircraft with the same AL-41F turbofan engines as the Sukhoi Su-35. India is enhancing the BVR capability of the Su-30MKI by equipping all its aircraft with the indigenous Astra BVR missile (110 km range) and its future variants (160 km range and beyond). The aircraft will also be fitted with a new reconnaissance pod.
On November 30, 2023, the Super Sukhoi upgrade program received an Authorization of Necessity (AoN) at a cost of 6 trillion rupees (7.5 billion dollars). The upgrade will see many older Russian subsystems replaced with more modern Indian subsystems.
The current radar will be replaced with an advanced AESA radar, likely an improved version of the DRDO Uttam radar. The indigenous DARE High Bandwidth Jamming Pod (HBT), Dhruti Radar Warning System and Dual Colour Missile Approach Warning System will enhance the electronic warfare capabilities of the Sukhoi-30MKI.
Comparison: Su-30 MKI vs F-16
| Su-30 MKI | F-16 | |
| Country | Russia | united states of america |
| length | 21.935 meters | 15.06 meters |
| Wingspan | 14.7 meters | 9.96 meters |
| Empty weight | 18,400 kilograms | 8,573 km |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 38,800 kilograms | 19,187 km |
| maximum speed | Mach 2 | Mach 2.05 |
| External Hardpoints and Payloads | 12 (including AAM 10)
8,130 kg |
11 (including 8 AAM members)
7,700 kilograms |
| Combat Radius Internal Fuel | 1,500kg | 550 kg |
| Engines and thrust | 2 Lyulka AL-31FP (123kN each) | General Electric F110-GE-129 (131 kN) × 1 |
| Radar and Range | NIIP N011M Bar (Panther) (400 km search, 200 km pursuit) | Block 15 APG-66(V)2
150 kg |
| AAM (range) | R-77-1, RVV-SD: 110 km, later R-77M (193 km) | AIM-120 AMRAAM (120 km) |
F-16 vs Su-30 in the Ukrainian War
Firstly, it is unfair to compare the Su-30 class with the much smaller F-16. It’s like comparing apples with pears. The Su-27/30 should be compared to the F-15 and the MiG-29 to the F-16. However, such a showdown could become a reality, so let’s see where they stand.
The Su-27/30 is prized for its sturdy-looking airframe, high maneuverability on all axes, and the “Cobra” maneuver, the tactical feasibility of which has been debated for decades, with no clear answer as to its feasibility.
Having spoken one-on-one with inventor Viktor Pugachev in Moscow, it’s clear that the timing of executing this maneuver can make or break tactical situations, but what matters today is a radar that can operate in a high electronic threat environment and long-range AAMs. Either company could come out on top here, depending on who has the better combination.
In close combat, what matters is the pilot’s combat flying skills. In the India-Pakistan war, Indian MiG-21s shot down far superior F-104s. Similarly, Israeli F-16s outperformed all kinds of Russian aircraft in combat.
The Su-30 is a larger aircraft and will be detected sooner by both radar and visual combat. But if such a situation arises, the Su-30 will have the advantage with higher angle of attack maneuvers and weapon pointing. The Sukhoi fighter has more thrust and can sustain higher energy for longer. The Su-30 also has better endurance for longer battles. It is more maneuverable, has a larger missile load and is better armed.
At present, the AIM-120 has a range advantage over the R-77, but the Russian R-37M outperforms most Western missiles. Newer missiles such as the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) are not available to Ukraine. Even the Meteor is superior to the AIM-120. The F-16 would also be threatened by the Russian MiG-31, equipped with six very long-range R-37M AAMs.
Are F-16s “easy targets” for Russian MiG-31 fighters? Putin warns of consequences over fight with Falcon
The F-16s being delivered to Ukraine will not have the advanced radar and other sensors that are installed on the Block 70/72. Similarly, the electronic protection systems will not be state-of-the-art. The US will not risk providing them for fear of them falling into Russian hands.
Israeli F-16s are able to outperform the Su-30s thanks to better and more aggressive pilot training, collective tactics, and continued warfare experience. The same cannot be said for the still undertrained Ukrainian pilots who have been trained for years in the Russian combat philosophy.
Russia has already threatened to attack the base the day the F-16 fighter jets arrive, and operating F-16s from another country’s territory is not an option as it would escalate the war.
Digital Combat Simulation
Putting both aircraft through a highly accurate Digital Combat Simulation (DCS) will reveal their strengths and weaknesses, and whoever is better able to utilize them will ultimately be the winner.
In fighter combat, victory or defeat is often decided by “see first, shoot first.” In a slow, turning fight, the Sukhoi would knock the F-16 out of the sky. The F-16 is best suited to fighting at higher speeds.
The F-16 should also take advantage of its small size and therefore relatively hard to see and hit. The F-16 should constantly strive towards better radar, avionics and BVR missiles. If it must engage the Sukhoi, it should be BVR combat only. The Block 70 F-16 may be better suited to fight the Sukhoi.
F-16 vs Su-30 MKI in India-Pakistan conflict
The PAF currently operates around 75 F-16s, including 44 F-16 AM/BM Block 15 MLU, 13 F-16A/B ADF and 18 F-16C/D Block 52+ variants. These are equipped with the APG-68(V9) radar and can carry AIM-120C-5 missiles.
When the Eagle Kept the Falcon at Bay – How Israeli Air Force MiG-29 Fighter Defeated Pakistani F-16s at 18,000 feet
After the air battle on 27 February 2019, Pakistan tried to invent a story that it had shot down a Su-30MKI Flanker H. India not only denied it but actually flew an aircraft with the same registration number during the IAF Day Parade that year. The IAF’s Su-30MKI dodged and intercepted 3-4 AMRAAMs during the BVR engagement.
India has around 260 Su-30 MKIs. The Indian made radar has a longer range and powerful BVR missiles. The Su-30 MKI can carry 10 Astra Mk1 (110 km) missiles which are already integrated. Astra-2 (160 km) and Astra-3 (350 km) are in the testing stage. Astra-2 is expected to be inducted in 2024. Obviously, IAF’s Su-30 MKI has both BVR (Beyond Visual Range) and WVR (Within Visual Range) advantage. After the upgrade of Su-30 MKI, this advantage will be significantly improved.
Conclusion
In terms of pure performance, the Su-27/30 is one of the most impressive aircraft ever produced. The Su-27/30 has incredible power, a high power-to-weight ratio, and incredible maneuverability.
As a result, Russia has chosen to use this basic design for many of its variants, leading up to the Su-35, and China has also copied the basic design with the J-11, J-15 and J-16.
Conversely, the F-16 is still flying in large numbers. It’s a fun aircraft to fly and control, and pilots love the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The F-16 has seen far more combat and has an enviable record of “air-to-air kills,” but most of those have been in Western Asia, and not against the Su-30 class. In Ukraine, the F-16 risks losing out.
The last shot has yet to be fired in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict: the Su-30 vs. F-16 showdown will happen, and the outcome will be known soon.
- Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd) is a veteran fighter test pilot of the Indian Air Force and former Director, Centre for Air Power Research, New Delhi. He served in the Indian Air Force for 40 years and is a recipient of the Order of Gallantry and Meritorious Service. He tweets at @Chopsyturvey.
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