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First Post
22-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
India urgently needs Russia's Su-57 to maintain air dominance
The IAF will probably face China's second fifth-generation jet, J-35A, in a war with Pakistan as Beijing has fast-tracked delivery to Islamabad read more Russia's Su-57 and USA's F-35 – two fifth-generation fighter aircrafts – sharing an airstrip for the first time. Moneycontrol. In February 2004, US Air Force (USAF) pilots realised the formidability, ingenuity and tactical brilliance of their Indian Air Force (IAF) counterparts and admitted to having been decisively beaten. It was the first Cope India, an annual exercise between the USAF and the IAF, at the Gwalior Air Force Station. The F-15, a fourth-generation air superiority fighter with no combat losses and maximum recorded kills by the Israeli Air Force, was pitted against the IAF's fourth-generation Mirage 2000, Su-30MK and the MiG-29. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The IAF achieved a 9:1 kill ratio in mock engagements. 'The outcome of the exercise boils down to (the fact that) they ran tactics that were more advanced than we expected…They could come up with a game plan, but if it wasn't working, they would call an audible and change (tactics in flight),' Colonel Mike Snodgrass, commander of the 3rd Wing (Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska), told the Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine. According to USAF Colonel Greg Newbech, 'I pity the pilot who has to face the IAF and chances the day to underestimate him because he won't be going home.' The IAF's winning star, however, wasn't a fourth-generation jet—it was the third-generation MiG-21 Bison, an upgraded version of the Russian-made baseline third-generation MiG-21. 'The two most formidable IAF aircraft proved to be the MiG-21 Bison…and the Su-30MK Flanker,' Snodgrass said. The Bison's low radar visibility, instantaneous turn rate, acceleration and helmet-mounted sight, coupled with high-off-boresight R-73 air-to-air missiles, beat the F-15Cs. Fifteen years later, the Bison proved its prowess again. The old warhorse shot down a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16 during Pakistan's Operation Swift Retort in February 2019. In the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars too, the IAF Gnats beat the PAF's superior F-86 Sabres, earning the moniker 'Sabre Slayer'. Aerial combat beyond dogfight However, Operation Sindoor saw a paradigm shift in aerial combat—a different kind of 'dogfight'. The IAF and PAF hadn't breached each other's airspace yet were engaged. Pakistan claimed to have shot down three Rafales, one MiG-29 and one Su-30MKI. According to the PAF, its Chinese-made J-10C jet's PL-15E beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM) took down the Rafales. Pakistan hasn't provided any visual evidence of its claim. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dogfight is increasingly becoming obsolete. A jet with a big radar envelope and loaded with a 400-km PL-17 or 300-km PL-15 BVRAAM doesn't need to engage with an enemy aircraft at close range. The PL-15's export version, PL-15E, has a range of around 145 km, comparable to the Rafale's longest-range AAM, Meteor (150-200 km). However, considering the close China-Pakistan alliance, Beijing secretly supplying the PL-15 to Islamabad can't be ruled out. After the India-Pakistan ceasefire, the Internet was rife with rumours of a Chinese Xi'an Y-20 military transport aircraft landing in Pakistan with a stockpile of weapons. If China supplied the weapons, it could have included the PL-15. In that case, the J-10C could have fired the PL-15, not the PL-15E. Aerial warfare has dramatically changed with the advent of fifth-generation jets and the development of sixth-generation aircraft. A fifth- or a sixth-generation jet's stealth features, super-cruise performance, low-probability-of-intercept-radar, advanced avionics, situational awareness and command, control and communications capabilities make it superior to third- and fourth-generation warplanes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US and China have taken the traditional dogfight to another level by introducing artificial intelligence (AI). In September 2023, a USAF X-62A VISTA (Variable In-flight Simulator Aircraft) jet, a modified F-16 that can fly autonomously, was involved in several dogfights with a manned F-16. The VISTA, which had two pilots for monitoring but who never took over flying, performed both defensive and offensive manoeuvres. Both jets flew 1,200 miles per hour with the VISTA coming within 2,000 feet of the F-16 and doing vertical manoeuvring. The winner wasn't revealed. On the other hand, China has developed 'Red Eye,' an AI system built by the Northwest Institute of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Xianyang, that can decisively beat a human pilot. Pitted against an F-15 in a simulated environment, Red Eye's cutting-edge optical sensors sensed before the pilot could manoeuvre by detecting the minutest deformation in the jet's rudder and elevator and reading the intent signalled by the metal's minor movements. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The AI system shattered the unpredictability advantage a pilot had over algorithms by using its predictive modelling and sophisticated infrared vision, according to a study published in the December 2024 issue of the Journal of Gun Launch & Control. Human pilots rely on instinct and unpredictability, but every physical manoeuvre has mechanical precursors,' senior engineer Lin Zhiwei wrote in the study. Fifth- and sixth-generation warplanes The US has F-22 and F-35, Russia Su-57, China J-20 and J-35 while Turkey is developing the TAI TF KAAN and South Korea KAI KF-21 Boramae. The next leap is the development of sixth-generation fighter jets. The US is developing the F-47 to replace the F-22. The US Navy wants the F/A-XX to replace its F/A-18 Super Hornet. China is leading in sixth-generation jet development. Beijing is developing two such jets whose prototypes have already been flown. The J-36 is being developed to counter the US B-21 Raider, which will replace the B-1 Lancer and the B-2 Spirit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The J-36 can also block the airspace to the US base of Guam for around two hours from 1,000 km away. The J-50 is meant to counter the US F-47. Russia is also developing a sixth-generation aircraft unofficially known as MiG-41 under the PAK DP programme to replace the MiG-31. The UK was developing the Tempest to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon under the Future Combat Air System. Later, the Tempest programme was merged with Japan's Mitsubishi F-X programme under the Global Combat Air Programme to develop a sixth-generation jet with Italy joining the project. Pakistan on way to acquiring a fifth-generation jet Neither India nor Pakistan have a fifth-generation fighter. However, there's a difference. The Pakistani military controls the government and continues to arm itself to the teeth despite economic collapse and begging for IMF assistance. Pakistan always tries to match India's military capabilities, especially air power. Like India, which modified the Jaguar to deliver nuclear gravity bombs, Pakistan also modified its Mirage III and Mirage V to be nuclear-capable. Similarly, Pakistan bought the J-10C to counter the Rafale. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Now, Pakistan wants to acquire the J-35A, which can tilt the airpower equilibrium in its favour with India still relying on fourth-generation jets. In January, the PAF okayed the purchase of 40 J-35As, the land-based variant of China's second fifth-generation aircraft. Pakistan is expected to get the jets by the first quarter of 2026, which will increase the PAF's deterrence. The delivery was fast-tracked after General Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of China's highest military leadership body, the Central Military Commission, met Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir in Islamabad. The J-35, with a max take-off weight of 28,000 kg, has a formidable payload: six internal and six external hardpoints. The internal weapons bay, with a payload of 2,000 kg, carries six AAMs, like PL-10, PL-15 and PL-21, precision-strike munitions (PGMs), 12 small diameter bombs, four large deep-penetration bombs of 500 kg, four supersonic land-attack missiles or anti-radiation/anti-ship missiles. The external hardpoints, with a payload of 6,000 kg, can also carry six AAMs, like the PL-17, PGMs, 18 small bombs and four large bombs of 500 kg or four land-attack missiles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In another technological leap, the J-35's internal weapons bay has been modified to carry four PL-17s with foldable fins or two with fixed fins. India urgently needs a fifth-generation jet When Pakistan acquires the J-35, the IAF will be at a massive disadvantage. Moreover, the IAF operates only 30 squadrons, much below the sanctioned strength of 42, and 8 more squadrons are set to retire over the next decade. 'It will give them [Pakistan] an advantage,' Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said in March. It's not that India doesn't realise the importance of a fifth-generation jet. However, it took 15 years before a fifth-generation jet project was approved. In 2009, the UPA government commissioned a feasibility study for a medium combat aircraft (MCA). In 2024, the NDA government approved the project, which was called the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a 5.5-generation aircraft with an initial budget of Rs 15,000 crore to develop five prototypes. The Mark 1 variant will have fifth-generation tech and the Mark 2 will have incremental sixth-generation technology upgrades. The IAF wants seven AMCA squadrons (126 aircraft) in two phases. The first two squadrons will have General Electric's F414 engines and the rest indigenous 110-kilonewton engines. However, the first prototype will not be ready before 2026-27 and the first test flight not before 2028. The 10-year project means that production will not begin before 2035. Moreover, there's the issue of who will produce the AMCA—HAL or a private firm. HAL's LCA Tejas Mk-1A project is already late and it has to develop four prototypes of Mk-2. In February, IAF chief Singh said that he was 'not just confident of HAL' citing the delay in delivery and upgrade. On the other hand, no private aviation company is experienced enough to assemble and deliver a small or midsize aircraft. Moreover, a massive investment is needed to set up a manufacturing facility and a skilled workforce that can be trained properly. India's only option to match Pakistan—though it is too late—is to purchase a fifth-generation jet that will augment the IAF's fighting capability in the next 10 years. Even IAF chief Singh said, 'We may have to go in for off-the-shelf purchases with indigenous content until AMCA is developed—or develop AMCA at a faster pace.' India's only option is Su-57 India has two options for purchasing a fifth-generation aircraft: the F-35 or the Su-57E (export variant). Both the US and Russia have offered their fifth-generation jets to India. During the Aero India 2025 show in February, Russia's state-owned defence exports company Rosoboronexport offered the Su-57E and its local production to India. 'Rosoboronexport, together with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), proposes to localise FGFA aircraft in India. This production of the FGFA at the HAL plant might take place as early as 2025. It can be provided this year itself,' a Rosoboronexport representative said during the airshow. On day one of Aero India, UAC CEO Vadim Badekha told the Russian media that the Su-57 is 'needed by the Indian Air Force as the next step in the evolution and development of our aviation industries'. During the airshow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US, where President Donald Trump said, 'We are also paving the way to provide India with F-35 stealth fighters.' It was a clear counteroffer to dissuade India from buying the Su-57. Vice-president JD Vance echoed Trump's offer during his India visit in April. Which of the two jets is better suited for the IAF? The Su-57E has a clear advantage over the F-35. First, the F-35A, the conventional landing-and-take-off variant, costs around $80-$110 million per unit. The Su-57 costs around $35-$40 million. Besides, the F-35's maintenance cost is much higher than the Su-57E's. Second, the US doesn't allow allies, like Israel, Australia, Italy, Japan and others, which use the F-35 to manufacture it under licence. They only produce components and offer maintenance services. Third, user countries can't modify the F-35 without US permission with the US controlling its hardware and software. On the other hand, India has been manufacturing the Su-30MKI under licence. Before the air show, Rosoboronexport director general Alexander Mikheev offered 'supply of ready-made aircraft, the organisation of their joint production in India as well as assistance in the development of an Indian fifth-generation fighter'. Russia made the offer more lucrative in March by allowing India to use its Su-30MKI production infrastructure to produce the Su-57E. 'In case of a positive decision by the Indian side, the production of the Russian fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jet can be started at the factories currently producing the Su-30MKI fighter within a short time,' Rosoboronexport said. Fourth, India will have to buy the AIM-120 advanced medium-range AAM to use the F-35 because it will need US permission to modify the jet to carry non-NATO and indigenous missiles. Fifth, the IAF already operates seven different types of combat jets—MiG-21, SEPECAT Jaguar, MiG-29M, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000-5, Rafale and Tejas. Sustaining and maintaining seven different types of jets involves a huge expense. Purchasing a costly fifth-generation American jet will be a logistical nightmare, increasing the IAF's maintenance, repair and overhaul issues. Sixth, the F-35 has been plagued by technical problems. In January 2023, Business Insider reported several problems in the F-35: 'stealth coating, sustained supersonic flight, helmet-mounted display, excessive vibration from its cannon and even vulnerability to being hit by lightning'. Seventh, German magazine Der Spiegel reported in January 2015 that NSA intelligence contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden's leaked documents revealed that Chinese hackers had stolen 50 terabytes of data about the design of Australia's F-35. Australia is one of the major US allies that operates the F-35. The hackers gained access to the F-35's radar systems, engine schematics, designs to cool exhaust gases and the method used to track targets. The J-35A has an uncanny resemblance to the F-35, like the tailplane wing design instead of the canard wing in China's first stealth aircraft, the J-20. In November 2024, USAF Chief of Staff General David W Allvin told the Air and Space Forces Magazine in an interview that 'you could put it [J-35A] side-by-side and see, at least, where we believe they got their blueprints from.' If China is aware of the J-35 technology, it would be foolish for India to purchase it—especially considering Beijing's closeness to Islamabad. The most important consideration is how the Su-57 will perform against the J-35A. India will face the J-35A in a war with Pakistan or China. The J-35A is stealthier than the Su-57 due to its superior materials and design. The J-35A's radar cross-section is smaller (0.2-0.3 sq m) compared to that of the Su-57 (0.1-0.5 sq m), making it harder for an enemy radar to detect it. The Su-57 scores over the J-35A in several other important areas. Its max take-off weight is 35,000 kg, payload 10,000 kg, fuel capacity 10,300 kg, maximum speed Mach 2 (high altitude) and combat range 1,250 km, The J-35's max take-off weight is 28,000 kg, payload 8,000 kg, fuel capacity 7,200 kg, maximum speed Mach 1.8 (high altitude) and combat range 1,250 km. The Su-57's 360-degree thrust vectoring makes it more manoeuvrable in dogfighting than the J-35. The Su-57's Byelka radar system comprises the N036-1-01 nose-mounted X-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, two smaller N036B-1-01 X-band AESA radars mounted on the sides of the forward fuselage and two N036L-1-01 L-band arrays on the wing's leading edge extensions that are also used for electronic warfare. The radar system has 360° coverage, a maximum detection range of 400 km and can track 60 targets simultaneously and engage with 16. China hasn't revealed the name of the J-35's radar system. The FC-31 Gyrfalcon stealth prototype, from which the J-35 was developed, used the KLJ-7A AESA radar system. The J-35 has an electro-optical/infrared sensor mounted under the chin, optical apertures around the body to provide full spherical coverage and a conventional heads-up display. The KLJ-7A can simultaneously track 15 targets and guide missiles on 4 of them. The Su-57, a bomber, ship hunter and air defence suppressor, has six hardpoints internally and externally. The four internal bays can carry two short-range K-74M2 AAMs (50 km), which can engage targets at a high off-boresight angle of 75 degrees. The four long-range K-77M AAM (200 km) use an AESA radar for guidance. The two long-range R-37M AAMs (400 km) have Mach 6 speed and can also destroy airborne early warning jets, heavy bombers and tankers. The Su-57 can carry, at least, two KAB-250 precision-guided bombs, its standard gravity weapon. The jet can also carry an unspecified number of KAB-500 penetrator bombs. The two satellite-guided PBK-500U Drel gliding cluster bombs can destroy mass armoured formations, like a tank column or an entire missile battery. The two Kh-59MK2s (290 km) are the Su-57's primary air-to-ground (AGM) missiles. The four Kh-38 AGMs (70 km) take out less well-defended and fortified targets. The jet can carry more Kh-38s if not carrying the Kh-59MK2. The four Kh-58UShKe anti-radiation cruise missiles (250 km) have Mach 3.6 speed. The two anti-ship Kh-35U cruise missiles (>250 km) can approach their targets just four metres above water. The external hardpoints can also carry a wide array of missiles and bombs. According to a report in February, Russia is testing a new version of the air-launched hypersonic ballistic missile Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (2,000 km, Mach 10) for the Su-57—though it will compromise its stealth features if carried externally. This month, Russia unveiled the Su-57M1, an advanced version of its upgraded Su-57M, quipped with AI-assisted systems integrated with the avionics suite. The AI systems assist the pilot in navigation, target acquisition and system diagnostics, reducing his workload. The writer is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience and comments primarily on foreign affairs. He tweets as @FightTheBigots. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
India.com
15-05-2025
- India.com
What happened to Wing Commander Abhinandan after returning from Pakistan? IAF banned him from flying fighter planes due to...
Wing Commander Abhinandan New Delhi: Following the ceasefire, the rising tensions between India and Pakistan have started to ease. On Wednesday, Pakistan released the Indian BSF (Border Security Force) soldier Purnam Kumar Sahu from its custody. To recall, BSF soldier Purnam Kumar Sahu mistakenly crossed into Pakistani territory when the tensions between the two countries were at its peak following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Pakistani Rangers detained him from the international border. Now, about 20 days later, on May 14, Pakistan has returned BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Sahu to India. It is important to note that India had also detained a Pakistani Rangers personnel near the Indian border in Rajasthan during the same period. India handed over the Pakistani Ranger in exchange for the return of the Indian BSF soldier. Prior to this, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman had also mistakenly crossed into Pakistan, and Pakistan eventually returned him to India. This latest incident has once again sparked conversations around Wing Commander Abhinandan, with people wanting to know what happened to him after his return from Pakistan. How Wing Commander Abhinandan Reached Pakistan Wing Commander Abhinandan joined the military in 2004. His father also served in the Air Force, and his brother is also part of the same force. After the Pulwama terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Abhinandan participated in the Balakot airstrike. When the Pakistani Air Force attempted to infiltrate Indian airspace, he shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet using his MiG-21 Bison aircraft. However, during intense aerial combat, his MiG-21 was also shot down, and he ended up in Pakistan-occupied territory. However, two days later, on March 1, 2019, Wing Commander Abhinandan was released. Pakistan returned him under the Geneva Convention, which mandates that prisoners of war must be repatriated to their home countries after the conflict ends. Here are some of the key details: Wing Commander Abhinandan was first taken by the Indian Air Force's medical team for a thorough check-up after returning from Pakistan This examination was conducted to ensure that he had not suffered any physical injuries, was not administered any drugs, and had not been subjected to mental or physical torture. Following this, Wing Commander Abhinandan was formally handed back to the Indian Air Force. However, after his return from Pakistan, he was temporarily barred from flying fighter jets. This was because he had sustained injuries while ejecting from his aircraft, and thus, he was grounded for some time. According to reports, he remained grounded for several months, but after about six months, he resumed flying fighter jets. A medical evaluation was conducted by an Air Force institute, and once he was cleared, Wing Commander Abhinandan was permitted to fly again.
News18
11-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan Admits To Role In 2019 Pulwama Terror Attack: 'Our Tactical Brilliance...'
Last Updated: Pakistani Air Force official Aurangzeb Ahmed referred to the Pulwama bombing as an act of "tactical brilliance". A high-ranking Pakistani Air Force official publicly acknowledged Pakistani military's role in the deadly 2019 Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel in an unexpected admission following years of denial. At a press conference, Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed, the Director General Public Relations for the Pakistan Air Force, referred to the Pulwama bombing as an act of 'tactical brilliance". The admission contradicts Pakistan's persistent claims of innocence regarding the Pulwama attack and undermines its recent demands for evidence from India concerning the Pahalgam terrorist incident. Aurangzeb Ahmed said, flanked by DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and a Navy spokesperson, that Pakistan's armed forces had demonstrated their 'tactical brilliance" in Pulwama and their 'operational progress and strategic acumen" following Operation Sindoor. He said, 'If Pakistan's airspace, land, waters, or its people are threatened, there can be no compromise. It cannot go unnoticed. We owe it to our nation. The pride and trust the Pakistani people have in their armed forces is something we always uphold, at all costs. We tried to convey that through our tactical brilliance in Pulwama; now, we have demonstrated our operational progress and strategic acumen. I believe they should take heed." Pakistan has denied involvement in the Pulwama attack for which the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had claimed responsibility. Despite India providing dossiers linking the suicide bomber to the JeM – whose headquarters in Bawahalpur was struck by India during Operation Sindoor – Pakistan has consistently demanded more evidence and rejected India's accusations. Following the Pulwama attack, India retaliated by launching airstrikes on a JeM terrorist training camp located in Balakot. Islamabad's response the following day involved its air force engaging Indian aircraft, leading to an aerial dogfight. During this engagement, an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was shot down inside Pakistani territory. Abhinandan Varthaman ejected safely but was captured by Pakistani forces. He was later released by Pakistan. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 11, 2025, 11:24 IST
News18
09-05-2025
- News18
These Are The World's Easiest And Most Difficult Fighter Jets. Where Does Rafale Sit?
Last Updated: From the deadly grace of the Sukhoi-30MKI to the sleek, user-friendly F-16 Fighting Falcon, modern air forces operate a range of machines, each with its own flight temperament The Indian Air Force 's air superiority display during Operation Sindoor has reignited interest in the fighter pilots inside the cockpits – and the aircraft they command. As Sukhoi-30MKIs roared across the skies and Rafales executed precision strikes, many observers were left wondering: how difficult is it to fly these powerful machines? The answer isn't straightforward. From nimble trainers to brute-force warhorses, modern fighter jets span a wide range of complexity, and their ease, or difficulty, of flight often depends on factors like design architecture, flight control systems, mission loadouts, and the skill of the pilot. India's fighter fleet, which includes indigenous platforms like the Tejas alongside imports like the French Rafale and Russian Sukhoi, offers a striking contrast between cutting-edge ease-of-operation and old-school muscle. Globally, the picture is just as diverse: some jets are practically intuitive, built to train rookies; others are demanding, requiring pilots to navigate layers of avionics while enduring punishing G-forces. From the deadly grace of the Sukhoi-30MKI to the sleek, user-friendly F-16 Fighting Falcon, modern air forces operate a range of machines, each with its own flight temperament. Among the elite league of modern fighter jets, a few stand out for their forgiving flight characteristics – often thanks to advanced digital systems and ergonomic design. Easiest Fighter Jets To Fly JAS 39 Gripen (Sweden) Sweden's Gripen, developed by Saab, exemplifies efficiency in the skies. Compact and lightweight, the single-engine aircraft combines multirole functionality with pilot comfort. Its automated flight controls minimise the pilot's workload, and its low-maintenance design allows operators to spend more time flying than fixing. It's no surprise that several countries have added the Gripen to their air fleets. Tejas Mk1 (India) India's own Tejas, born from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, was envisioned to replace aging MiG-21 fighters. It delivers on ease of flight with a quadruplex digital FBW system that stabilises the aircraft during complex manoeuvres. Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots consistently report it as significantly easier to fly than its Soviet-era predecessor, with a design optimised for agility and control. Tejas isn't just homegrown – it's pilot-friendly. Most Difficult Fighter Jets To Fly However, not all fighter jets are created equal. Some are raw, demanding machines that test even the most seasoned pilots. High speeds, intense G-forces, and outdated avionics can make flying a daily trial of nerve and skill. MiG-21 Bison (Russia/India) An aging warhorse still in limited service with the IAF, the MiG-21 Bison is notorious for its difficulty. Bereft of a fly-by-wire system and packed with legacy systems, the pilot must manually control every aspect of the flight. Its high landing speeds – over 300 km/h – and cramped cockpit increase the risk of error. The jet earned the grim nickname 'flying coffin" in India, despite safety upgrades under the Bison modernisation program. F-14 Tomcat (USA) Now retired from US service but still remembered as a complex beast, the F-14's variable-sweep wings and heavy twin-engine body made it formidable but tricky. Pilots needed deep experience, especially during aircraft carrier landings and while managing the radar-guided AIM-54 Phoenix missile system. Sukhoi-30MKI (Russia/India) A cornerstone of India's air dominance strategy, the Sukhoi-30MKI is immensely powerful but far from easy. Thrust-vectoring engines give it extreme agility, but that also means pilots must manage intense G-forces and sophisticated avionics. Multitasking is crucial – pilots must juggle radar tracking, electronic warfare systems, and mission planning, all while maintaining flight stability on long-duration missions. It's a juggernaut, but it demands constant attention. Eurofighter Typhoon (Europe) Designed for instability to maximise manoeuvrability, the Typhoon is inherently difficult to control without its advanced digital FBW system. Mastery of its systems requires months of rigourous training, and the aircraft's complex cockpit environment leaves little room for error. Where Does Rafale Sit? top videos View all India's Rafale jets, supplied by French defense giant Dassault Aviation, sit in the middle of the spectrum. For new pilots, the learning curve can be steep, especially when handling the aircraft's high-speed manoeuvres and managing multiple threats. But for experienced aviators, the Rafale is a dream machine. Its Spectra electronic warfare system automates threat detection and response, and the aircraft can seamlessly transition between air-to-air and air-to-ground roles in a single mission. Hands-on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls enable rapid response, though mastering them takes time. Despite its complexity, the Rafale's FBW system makes basic flying tasks relatively smooth. The aircraft's omnirole capability – spanning air dominance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes – means the pilot is always in the thick of mission management, but rarely overwhelmed. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 09, 2025, 11:19 IST News india These Are The World's Easiest And Most Difficult Fighter Jets. Where Does Rafale Sit?
India.com
01-05-2025
- India.com
What happened to the Pakistani pilot who challenged Balakot airstrike hero Captain Abhinandan in the sky?
What happened to the Pakistani pilot who challenged Balakot airstrike hero Captain Abhinandan in the sky? As New Delhi prepares for counter attack against Pakistan for Pahalgam terror attack, people are reminiscing about India's glorious victory in Balakot air strike and its hero – Indian Air Force's Wing Commander Abhinandan Vardhaman who shot down a Pakistani F-16 jet with a MiG-21 Bison fighter plane after the Balakot airstrike. However, during this time his jet was also damaged and he accidentally fell on enemy land. The Pakistani army captured him, but after 60 hours Pakistan had to return him safely to India. Actually at that time Pakistan was living in the shadow of fear that India might attack them directly. Abhinandan was released due to fear of India If reports are to be believed, Pakistan's former foreign minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif himself had revealed that Pakistan had released Abhinandan due to fear of India. Not only this, former speaker of Pak Assembly Ayaz Sadiq had also admitted that after capturing Abhinandan, Pakistan was afraid that if India attacked them, the country would be destroyed. But do you know who was the pilot flying the Pakistani F-16 jet at that time and what happened to him? Let's find out. Who flew the F-16? London-based lawyer Khalid Umar had claimed in his Facebook post about six years ago that the pilot of the Pakistani F-16 aircraft that crashed in PoK after attacking Jammu and Kashmir was beaten to death by the mob mistaking him to be an Indian. According to him, the F-16 was being flown by Shahzaduddin, a pilot of the 19th Squadron of the Pakistani Air Force. What happened to that Pakistani pilot If we believe Umar's post, he had written that 'It is sad that the Pakistani pilot was alive after ejecting in PoK, but the crowd mistook him for an Indian and beat him up badly. When they later got the news that he was their own man, then people took Shahjaz to the hospital where he died. He was the son of a retired Air Marshal. Abhinandan and Shahjaz both fought in the sky, but neither of them survived.'
