Saw, appreciated, praised
In mid-June, Russian-made combat aircraft appeared in the French sky. Su-30MKI with insignia of the Indian Air Force took part in the international aviation the exercise "Garuda 4", which also involved the machines of the Air Force of France and Singapore.
It can be said that the invitation of the Su-30MKI to these maneuvers was a visible indication of the success and world recognition of this car on the eve of the small anniversary of the progenitor of the entire family of fourth-generation Russian heavy fighters. 5 July 2010 turned 25 years from the day Su-27 began to enter service with the Air Forces of the USSR.
The first to receive new combat aircraft with airborne numbers 0803 N05 and 0705 N06 60 th Fighter Aviation Regiment, based at the airport Dzemgi in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. For all known reasons, today our air forces cannot boast of having the most modern Su-27 variants, traditionally belonging to the 4 + generation, in their composition: they are mainly operated abroad. Russian military pilots have to be content with modernized Su-27 of Soviet construction. In this regard, it is noteworthy that the machine with the 0803 N05 on-board numbers is still listed in the national combat aircraft fleet and is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance in Novosibirsk. True, the situation is beginning to change for the better. Recall that in accordance with the contract signed during the MAKS-2009 air show, the RF Air Force, in the period from 2010 to 2015, inclusive, must acquire 48 of the latest Su-35C multifunctional super-maneuverable fighters. It is very important that Russia became the first buyer of the “4 ++” generation aircraft Su-35, although it was created mainly based on export contracts.
In the meantime, such qualities as Su fighters as multifunctionality and super-maneuverability are used by foreign pilots. Su-30KI during the exercises "Garuda 4" (Garuda in Hinduism - the fighting bird of the god Vishnu), held from 14 to June 25, confirmed their high performance characteristics.
Six 8 squadrons from the East Air Command of the Indian Air Force flew over to the south of France from the Bireilly airbase, accompanied by two Il-78MKI tankers and an Il-76M transport aircraft. During the exercises, they were at the airport of the 125 Istr air base. From the French Air Force, four Mirage 2000C / RDI squadrons 2 / 5 “Ile-de-France”, also deployed on AB “Istres”, five Mirage 2000-5F 1 / 2 squadrons, “Storks”, were active in the exercise, and were active in the exercise. "Orange", KC-115FR tankers. Other aircraft from the Air Force and the Air Force of the French Navy, including the newest French fighters Rafale, were also involved in the performance of training tasks. The Singapore Air Force was represented by six F-135D + (Block 16) fighters from the 52 squadron and the KC-145R tanker. In total, 135 troops from India and 180 from Singapore arrived in France.
The exercise scenario included both working out single and group (in pairs and fours) air battles, as well as intercepting enemy planes, escorting transport cruise vehicles and attacking targets on the ground.
Joint actions with colleagues from non-NATO countries give French pilots an opportunity to deviate from the usual patterns and tactics, as, by the way, to representatives of India and Singapore.
However, for us, of course, more interesting is the assessment of Russian-made aircraft by representatives of foreign air forces. According to reviews of the direct participants of the “Garuda 4” exercises, which were reflected in the French media, they were impressed by the capabilities of the B-radar with the passive phased antenna array H-011 “Bars”. As you know, this air-to-air radar provides tracking of targets on the aisle to 15, accurate tracking of at least 4 targets to ensure the use of weapons without stopping the search, capture a fighter-type target at a distance of 120-140 km.
The French liked the dynamic and maneuverability characteristics of the heavy Russian aircraft, equipped with AL-31FP engines. They have a controlled thrust vector, although the Indian pilots did not use it during the maneuvers. Foreign observers were also impressed by the set of weapons of the Russian aircraft, in particular missiles air-to-air class R-77, R-27 and R-73.
Representatives of the French Air Force did not fail to note, of course, that the lighter Mirages are superior to the Sukhois in close maneuverable combat, but air duels of this type in modern conditions are unlikely to take place in reality. The French also did not miss the opportunity to advertise the system EW SPECTRA installed on Rafale fighters.
It is worth noting here that the commercial component is inevitably intertwined in the French assessment of the Su-30MKI characteristics and capabilities of its own Rafale and Mirage fighters. After all, Rafale is participating in the Indian Air Force tender for the purchase of 126 fighter aircraft under the MMRCA program. The French plane, of course, is hardly the favorite of this competition, but the military of the Fifth Republic did not miss the opportunity to once again show their goods face and provided some Indian pilots with the opportunity to make sorties to the Rafale in the co-pilot's seat. They are counting on the signing of a contract for the modernization of fifty Mirage 2000 fighters from the Indian Air Force in France. Thales' competitors in this direction are the Israeli defense enterprises.
Be that as it may, Delhi has already decided which type of fighter will be the most popular in the near future in Indian military aviation. 28 June, the country's government approved the allocation of 3,235 billion dollars for the purchase of an additional batch of X-NUMX machines Su-42KI. This decision means the final end of the era of dominance in the Indian Air Force MiG-30 aircraft.
The initial contract for the 50 Su-30MKI fighter was concluded in the 1996 year. Four years later, India ordered another 40 aircraft of this type, and also acquired a license to manufacture 140 machines from Russian aircraft kits. HAL has supplied the Air Force already an 74 fighter of its own assembly. Thus, the Indian Air Force will have the world's largest Su-2018MKI fleet - 30 units by 270 year.
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