Su-35's High-Stakes Bid for India's Skies, Can It Outshine the Su-30MKI?

Russia's Su-35 fighter jet, a cutting-edge marvel of aviation technology, is making a bold bid to conquer Indian skies. This state-of-the-art aircraft, boasting a formidable arsenal and advanced avionics, is vying for a major contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) under its multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) tender. But will it be enough to impress the IAF?

The Su-35, with its blistering speed of 2,500 km/h and an extensive range, is a technological powerhouse. Its diverse arsenal includes air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, precision-guided weapons, and a 30mm cannon, making it a versatile asset in any combat scenario. The jet's phased array radar, capable of detecting targets from 100 km to 400 km, coupled with its advanced information and control system, ensures superior situational awareness for its pilots.

However, the Su-35 faces a formidable competitor—the IAF's existing fleet of Su-30MKI fighter jets, a customized variant of the Su-35 family designed specifically for India. Often referred to as the "Indian Super-30," these jets are already a force to be reckoned with. Upcoming upgrades could potentially elevate the Su-30MKI to one of the most advanced Flanker variants, raising questions about the necessity of acquiring the base model Su-35.

The Su-35's fate in India's skies ultimately hinges on a rigorous evaluation by the IAF. The decision will likely depend on a meticulous assessment of its capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with the existing infrastructure and systems.

While the Su-35 boasts impressive specifications and capabilities, its success in securing the Indian contract is far from guaranteed. The IAF's final decision will be shaped by a complex interplay of technical, financial, and geopolitical considerations.

Will the Su-35's advanced features and versatility be enough to sway the IAF? Or will the existing Su-30MKI fleet and other competing options prove more appealing? Only time will tell.

 

[Pink Panther]

Su35 is history now…. It could be the better choice in 2010s…
Rafale is way ahead than Su35 technologically… additionally IAF can’t afford another heavy class fighter given limited budget…
I think Indian Air Force is waiting for F 35 to be offered in MRFA.

problem is we can only buy 70 Rafales for the budget $20Bln alotted, we need 114 jets.

 

[Pink Panther]

Cheaper??? We were asked to pay 250 million dollars, plus 6 billion dollars in development costs, over 10 years ago. And that didn’t include any missiles or stuff. Imagine the costs now.

still cheaper than $300+ million 4th gen Rafale.

 

[Pink Panther]

100 million usd vs 250 million usd??? Kuch bhi?

Firstly, the deal for 12 Su30 mki in 2019 was pegged at 120 million per plane. That had no weapons, no additional ToT, no infrastructure, no training, nothing. Just the planes. Not even things like AESA radars and stuff.

On the other hand, Egypt paid 150 million ISD for Rafale’s second tranche. They had the infra, offsets, some weapons etc. Not to mention that Rafale kicked Su35’s rear. So a better plane for a lower cost…sounds like a deal.

Egypt paid $150Mln for Rafale F3 with no weapons package, Egypt has sanctions against getting Meteor, spike and other French Missiles.

 

[Pink Panther]

Better India go for 114 Rafale F-5 and 90 F-15-EX-II !

we need $45Bln.

 

[Pink Panther]

Egypt bought their planes at 150 million usd for second tranche. Including weapons and stuff. We paid 120 million for just the plane for Su30 mki with Bars radar.

Egypt paid $150Mln for Rafale F3 with no weapons package, Egypt has sanctions against getting Meteor, spike and other French Missiles.

Note:
Repeating the same lies won’t make it true.

 

[Pink Panther]

F15 costs well over 350 million without weapons off the shelf. 😂😂😂

Not at all, but Rafale foes even more.

 

[Pink Panther]

Now, Rafale costs 300+ millions usd per jet for make in India by DRAL-Dassault! Just buy 114 nos. of F15EX jets now and add more later on; for a grand total of 226 nos. of F15EX jets- and PLAAF will be defeated easily; especially if Boeing-TASL can integrate Astra2-3 Meteor-NG and Rudraam-III AWACs killer missiles.

F15 would be redundant with Super SU-30, I think F21 wiuld be perfect made by Tata and later on TATA taking over Tejas MK2 project.

 

[Pink Panther]

True it's avionics cannot track or target the F-35 or the F-22 . The F-18 can jam the Su-35 , so can the F-15ex

Even SU-30’s N bars radar can track stealth jets, SU-35 has AESA radar.

 

[Pink Panther]

The way American deep state is trying to discredit current Indian dispensation and going to the extent to undermine RAW chief and NSA, I think either state department will tone down after election or GoI will have to wait till US general election in November hoping some change of policies. If both doesn't happen , Bharat may have to rethink on current acquisitions plan that may result even in cancellation of MQ-9 and GE engine. In that situation MRFA for 114 Rafales will become urgent with possibly further orders until our Kaveri -2 becomes operational for Tejas mark-1A and SAFRAN -GTRE jet engine of 110-130 KN class is produced here in Bharat .

we don’t have $45Bln for Rafale.

 

[Pink Panther]

India should fast track the su-30 upgrades and maybe procure used su-30 from the users like Malaysia etc to increase squadron strength rather than buy brand new su-30 which has little impact in the modern day(old design ,rcs ).against modern day fighter like rafale or typhoons if it wins mrfa competition. What india should consider is either design a more powerfull engine or go for a more modern engine(improved al41)for su-30 with Russia if possible.

Geopolitics is changing , any imported jet is a danger, better to focus on local jets, cancelling MRFA is the best option.

 

[Pink Panther]

That’s why Russia officially said that India should have backed off from LAC and given its land to China? Directly from the government on record, not even some newspaper or think tank.

Then France also said that.

 

[Pink Panther]

In order to maintain squadron numbers, MRFA is a necessity.

Yes cheapest MRFA made by Indian entity, not by the OEM in India.

 

[Pink Panther]

I am not saying they will become subservient to China. However, their dependence on China is increasing quite rapidly. Simply put, we have to take a much more neutral approach towards Russia moving forwards.

it is just Business relationship, Rusdians helped China when they fought US in Vietnam, so it is give and take.

 

[shivkumar sinha]

we don’t have $45Bln for Rafale.

If template of Airbus - TASL is replicated for MRFA , figure will not exceed even $30 billions and well within defence budget.

 

[Pink Panther]

If template of Airbus - TASL is replicated for MRFA , figure will not exceed even $30 billions and well within defence budget.

Budget is only $17Bln.

 

[Akshat]

Egypt paid $150Mln for Rafale F3 with no weapons package, Egypt has sanctions against getting Meteor, spike and other French Missiles.

Note:
Repeating the same lies won’t make it true.

Egypt had weapons. Mica and all were given.

 

[Akshat]

Not at all, but Rafale foes even more.

Not even close.

 

[Akshat]

Then France also said that.

On the contrary, France sent a written letter saying that they will send their army if need be to help India. It’s on record.

 

[Akshat]

still cheaper than $300+ million 4th gen Rafale.

That’s why France doesn’t charge that from us.

 

[Akshat]

Egypt paid $150Mln for Rafale F3 with no weapons package, Egypt has sanctions against getting Meteor, spike and other French Missiles.

So Mica is not a weapon?

 

[Akshat]

i've looked enough. cant find $hit. perhaps you are spreading misinformation and backing off when confronted ? if what you say existed, i should have been able to find in 2 min. i spent about 15min.

So please tell me what you found. Let’s see if you looked at all or not. Let’s see how many lies you are spreading.

 

[Pink Panther]

That’s why France doesn’t charge that from us.

They charged little less $290Mln for F3, now we need to ask Indian weapon integration also, which will cost even more.

 

[Pink Panther]

So Mica is not a weapon?

I think Mica is also sanctioned, Spike and Mistral have US & UK components., Mica is also made by MBDA in which UK is involved.

 

[Akshat]

They charged little less $290Mln for F3, now we need to ask Indian weapon integration also, which will cost even more.

Not from their dear friends India.

 

[Akshat]

I think Mica is also sanctioned, Spike and Mistral have US & UK components., Mica is also made by MBDA in which UK is involved.

Nope. Egypt got them along with other missiles.

 

[Pink Panther]

Correct, also time is important here, even made in india rafale will take time to start produce.
Importing is impossible.

minimum 10 years, by that time we will have atleast 300 Tejas both MK1A/MK1B and MK2., then what is the point of getting a 4th gen aircraft.

 

[shivkumar sinha]

Budget is only $17Bln.

Current defence budget is $75 billions out of which $20.6 billions are earmarked for defence capital. After revision at the end ,it may go $ 21-22 billions. Any MRFA will require at least 7-8 years for execution. After 7-8 years Indian defence capital budget is expected to be about $ 50 billions if present % age of 27.6 is enhanced to 35% of total budget. If you assume an statistical mean at about $36 billions , you can easily spend $4 billions per year on MRFA for 7-8 years.

 

[NSR]

Thats an absurd argument that due to western sanctions we cant buy Russian item. Fcuk american sanctions.
If we need something we should buy it and do not think of sanctions.

Not my argument at all.
USA passed CAATSA legislation to discourage countries like India, Vietnam, etc from buying Russian arms.
Otherwise, India would have bought much needed weapons and spares from Russia.
Sad indeed but that is how international relationships working now.

 

[Rick Pierre]

SU-35s, SU-57s, and any further S-400s armaments are considered to be new acquisition and falls under the stringent CAATSA law rules.
It is very difficult to acquire and pay for those systems as the dollar is the king of trading currency..
India is already having terrible difficulty paying for oil too.

India can buy 12 SU-30MKIs and 21 Mig-29s without incurring any sanctions.

Furthermore, President Putin is visiting crimnal china this month and Russia practically turned over to china as a vassal state.
It is best to build out own fighters at a faster clip.

Some things surely going to happen soon.

Hold on now, you talk about China but Russia is also taking over the land of another country . Yes just like China has been doing with India , but Russia is taking as much of Ukraine as it can, America is trying to stop Russia and China from doing these terrible things at the cost sometimes at the cost of Amrrican lives, it is a big price to pay for friendship . It seems Ametica has been pushed into the role of policeman, no one likes a policeman until they need him ! If America was to say "ok we are not going to help you if another country tries to take over your country" would people of the world like this, most people don't seem to care until it happens to them, then America who has nothing to gain , sends its young men and women to the country in need, it often cost them their lives when they had nothing to gain.

 

[Rick Pierre]

Kakakakak US and other western countries are also criminal in the eyes of some Slavs and Russian... It's normal to Russian and China doing business like we are doing business with Russian and American too... There's nothing wrong init

You maybe correct in some ways, but mostbtimesvwhen America is in a conflict , it is because other countries such as China and Russia are trying to take over their land or country, Amrrica then sends in it's young soilders , they often to young to legally drink a beer, but they lay their lives on the line for others, for Law and order, In almost every war America has fought, it did so inorder to help a people who was being bullied by a bigger more powrtful country . If China were to become the most powerful countries on Earth , do you think the people would be free? Dobyou think this friendship would be at no cost? America don't want to be the worlds policeman , but if it doesn't , who will ?