The Sukhoi-30 MKI: India's Two-Front War
Ace?
The Sukhoi-30 MKI could be the Indian Air
Force’s ace up its sleeve as a “swing force” fighter in a two-front war.
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A report in
the Russia and India Report takes a fascinating look at the role of the
twin-fin Sukhoi-30 MKI air superiority fighters in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF)
combat strategy. The Su-30 MKI is an eminently versatile fighter that is
capable of meeting the IAF’s evolving needs, particularly in the context of a
nightmare scenario involving a two-front war with Pakistan and
China. I recommend Flashpoints readers check out
the whole report for
a fairly comprehensive description of the Su-30 MKI’s place in India’s air
power strategy going forward.
The
Su-30 is a technological transition away from the dated and retired MiG-21 the
IAF relied on for so long, and its speed, 1800 km range, maneuverability, and
firepower make it absolutely pivotal in ensuring the IAF’s capability to fight
a two-front war. The report cites the IAF’s April 2013 exercises – its largest
ever – which involved “as many as 400 combat aircraft plus 200 transport planes
and helicopters,” and tested the IAF’s readiness for a two-front war against
China and Pakistan.
According
to the Times of India, a two front war with Pakistan and China is
somewhat of a nightmare scenario for Indian military planners – neither foe’s
conventional military capabilities are anything to scoff at. Estimates suggest
that China could mobilize 21 fighter squadrons against India from its airbases
in Tibet, and Pakistan could deploy “21 to 25 fighter squadrons”
against India.
The
Su-30 MKI is an “air dominance fighter.” Its large range and capacity for
being refueled mid-flight make it the perfect “swing” fighter in a split
two-front war that could theoretically take place simultaneously on India’s
eastern and western frontiers, according to the Russia and India Report.
Certain
Su-30 MKI aircraft are also undergoing structural modifications to allow them
to carry an air-launched variant of India’s famed BrahMos hypersonic cruise
missile. On this, the report notes that there may be a nuclear angle as well:
There
is another ominous angle. India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) has asked for
40 nuclear capable strike aircraft to be used conjointly with land-based and
submarine launched ballistic missiles. Although it’s not clear whether the IAF
or the SFC will operate this mini air force, what is clear is that exactly 40
Su-30 MKIs have been converted to carry the BrahMos. That’s some coincidence.
According
to Defense Industry Daily, Russian BrahMos Aerospace Executive Director
Alexander Maksichev expects the first test-launch of
the BrahMos air-launched variant from a Su-30 MKI to take place sometime this
year. A report from July 2013 by the Russia and India Report states that
the “air-based BrahMos missile will be different from the other versions
because the very platform of the Su-30MKI works on the supersonic speed so it’s
no longer necessary to accelerate the missile to the same speed.” The BrahMos
variant will undergo significant changes to its chassis and nose cone to reduce
weight and improve stability for the dramatically different launch scenario.
The
Su-30 MKI alone is, of course, quite limited in preparing India for a two-front
conventional war. The effort necessitates a joint effort by the Indian Army and
the Air Force. The April 2013 exercises demonstrated the importance of the
MiG-29, attack helicopters, mid-air refuellers, drones, and surface-to-air
missiles in establishing a robust defensive line for India against a conventional
assault by Pakistan and China.
Currently,
a quantitative disparity exists between Indian and Chinese Su-30 fleets: China
possess 400 total to India’s 272. The arrival of the fifth-generation T-50 PAK
FA fighters could remedy this disparity. The report also suggests that the
pending purchase of French Rafale fighters could help.
The entire article can be
found at:
http://thediplomat.com/2014/01/the-sukhoi-30-mki-indias-two-front-war-ace/
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