Is the SU-30MKI the worlds best fighter?

**Phoenix10** · 14 Jun 11,, 01:12

My how we have digressed! How we ended up on the topic of a BVR battle between an F-16 and an EF (likely never to happen) inside a forum about written for the Su-30 MKI by way of a question about the skills of the PAF pilots I do not know!

**GGTharos** · 14 Jun 11,, 03:22

SOP for this sort of thread

**notorious_eagle** · 19 Jun 11,, 15:58

Originally Posted by Jimmy

Systems knowledge is only one piece of training. Effective tactics understanding and execution is HUGE. Just having an AEW platform isn't a game-changer on it's own...I'm sure Chogy's had plenty of experiences where AWACS or a GCI unit ruined the day through stupidity.

Integration is as important as everything else.

No doubt Sir, this is why PAF went to Red Flag to gain a better understanding on how the USAF deploys all its resources in a true network centric environment. PAF is working towards becoming a true network centric organization, they already have a fully operational C4I network. Work is in progress as we speak to integrate every asset in PAF's possession, wouldn't make sense for PAF to acquire 8 AEW platforms without integrating them to the system.

**turkish** · 19 Jun 11,, 19:38

Originally Posted by notorious_eagle

No doubt Sir, this is why PAF went to Red Flag to gain a better understanding on how the USAF deploys all its resources in a true network centric environment. PAF is working towards becoming a true network centric organization, they already have a fully operational C4I network. Work is in progress as we speak to integrate every asset in PAF's possession, wouldn't make sense for PAF to acquire 8 AEW platforms without integrating them to the system.

Can you plz tell me which variant F16 was it????

**Chogy** · 20 Jun 11,, 15:05

One of the keys to the new net-centric style of aerial warfare is going to be the integrity of the data. That is something we on the sidelines can only speculate about. Once the data begins to stream to and from the various nodes, there are going to be enemy black platforms designed to interrupt, spoof, and/or jam the data.

It's not too hard to develop the basic technology, but I think it is going to be extremely difficult to harden it to the point where it can function well in a hostile electronic environment. We'll have to wait and see on this. Eventually, two technologically advanced opposing forces are going to have at it, and we'll know one way or the other how it'll all work out.

**ace009** · 20 Jun 11,, 16:51

What I would like to know from the contributors here is why is there a comparison between the Su-30 MKI and any of the other western fighters? The only chance that the MKI will face off against a western fighter is the PAF F-16s (or borrowed F-15s from the KSAF, which is highly unlikely given the USA will NOT like it). So, a match-up between the Flanker and the F-16 Block 52 or the F-15 in KSAF is what should be compared against the MKI Flanker. For other Flankers, like those in RuAF (VVS) or PLAAF, the specs are different, so comparing them against the EF, the Rafale, the F-22 makes sense.