Indian air force vs PLAAF?

The two forces are fairly even matched after the IAF (India air force) brought Sukhoi Su-30MKI which is suppose to be better than the Chinese Sukhoi Su-30MKK. However the latest report from China is that the indigenous built J-11 surpasses the Sukhoi Su-30MKK and maybe (not sure) the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. So we have to look at the numbers: (numbers below are debatable)

(Forth-fifth Gen fighters)

PLAAF (391)

Su-27 (76)- In addition to license producing J-11s, China has purchased a number of fully-built Su-27s from Russia. By 2008, most of these aircraft has been upgraded to J-11A standard in terms of radar, avionics, and weapons.

Su-30MKK (100)- In terms of air-to-air capability, the Su-30 are probably the weakest of the Flankers flying Chinese colors. The Su-30 was primarily ordered for its advanced ground attack capabilities. The far more advanced Su-30MKK2, with both enhanced A2A as well as anti-shipping capabilities, is in service with the Chinese navy.

J-11 (95)- The first J-11s were license-produced copies of Russian Su-27SKs/UBKs that were imported from Russia. The first Chinese improvement to the basic J-11 was the J-11A, which featured an improved Russian radar, a Chinese Helmet-mounted-sight system, and some digitized, LCD displays. A new indigenous variant, classified the J-11B appeared in 2006. This variant featured an improved Chinese-designed radar, full air-to-ground and anti-shipping capability, improved missile-warning systems, much improved avionics, solid-state electronics, and a full-glass cockpit. A mixture of J-11A and J-11B avionic/radar upgrades have been since applied to nearly all J-11s and Su-27s in Chinese service. Other significant improvements to the Su-27 involves a more reliable Chinese-designed engine with a modest performance improvement over the Russian AL-31, use of composites which make up 70% of the weight of the aircraft, and minor redesigns that cumulate in a weight reduction of about 10% and radar-signature reduction of 88%.

J-10 (120)- The J-10 is China's only indigenous 4th-generation fighter. It is a much smaller fighter than the Flanker, and thus has less range, payload, and a less-powerful radar. However, it enjoys much greater maneuverability and reduced radar-cross section (of less than 1m squared, vs 3m squared of J-11B and 25m squared of baseline Flankers). The J-10 is also easier and cheaper to produce. Currently, the Chinese are working on a AESA radar for the J-10.

IAF (212)

Su-30MKI (110)- The Su-30MKI is one of the most advanced Flanker variants in current operation. It features a passive phased array radar, advanced FLIR and electro-optical capability, thrust-vectoring, and impressive low-speed maneuverability, thanks to the addition of canards. Hands-down, the Su-30MKI is superior to all Flankers short of the J-11B in PLAAF service. It is difficult to compare the MKI to the J-11B however, due to their relative advantages in different areas. The Su-30MKI is about 20% heavier, and features an engine with slightly less powerful dry(non-afterburning) thrust, thus giving it a slightly lower thrust-to-weight ratio. Furthermore, the Su-30MKI also has about 8 times the radar-cross section of the J-11B. In terms of radar, the Su-30MKI has a clear advantage, and the MKI still retains a slight advantage in avionics despite major improvements to China's indigenous avionics industry. The MKI is also more maneuverable at subsonic speeds, though the J-11B has a superior climb-rate and better acceleration.

Mig-29 (62)- The Mig-29 is a very capable fighter, and is a smaller complement to the Su-30MKI much like the J-10 is to the J-11. India has accumulated a variety of Mig-29 variants with a even larger variety of radars/avionics over the years, but they are all slated for upgrades and standardization in 2008. Both the Mig-29 and J-10 are claimed to be superior to the F-16 in terms of performance and maneuverability. It is possible for the Mig-29s to receive PESA radar, either with the currently ongoing upgrades or with a future upgrades package.

Mirage-2000 (51)- The Mirage is a multi-role French fighter that excels at both the A2A and A2G roles. However, the Mirages are incompatible with the Russian missiles that the IAF uses. Currently, India is undergoing negotiations with France to upgrade the Mirages with more modern weapons. The Mirage is an older and somewhat less capable design when compared to the Flanker, Fulcrum, and J-10.

(Third Gen fighters)

PLAAF (800)

J-8II (300)- The J-8 is an indigenous Chinese high-speed interceptor. The current variant, the J-8F uses Chinese radar with the ability to fire the latest Chinese BVR missiles and features a more powerful and efficient engine over earlier designs. Older J-8s are being upgraded to J-8H standard, which also features an advanced Chinese radar but retains the older engine type.

J-7- The J-7 is a Chinese fighter based on the Russian Mig-21 design. Current J-7s in Chinese service feature a double-delta wing design and a Chinese-designed engine, offering it much enhanced maneuverability and performance. Although BVR capable version exists for export, the PLAAF has instead decided to pursue upgrades in its WVR capabilities. Its radar is designed to work in tandem with a HMS, allowing it to fire a variety of the latest off-bore sight WVR missiles at multiple targets.

JH-7- The JH-7 is an indigenous fighter-bomber developed in China that is optimized for A2G precision strike. A naval version also exists, serving the PLANAF. In the air-to-air role, the JH-7 lacks BVR capability.

IAF (256)

Jaguar (131)- The Jaguar is an European fighter-bomber that is utilized primary for the deep-strike role by the IAF. Like the JH-7, Jaguars possess advanced A2G capabilities but lacks BVR capability for A2A combat. The Jaguar carries a lesser payload and has a lower top speed when compared to the JH-7.

Mig-21 BISON (125)- The Bison is an advanced Mig-21 variant, and the only one with BVR capability. It also has a significantly improved engine for better performance. However, its BVR range is limited and the one's in IAF service have been very prone to mishaps and accidents, hence earning the nickname "flying coffin."

(Second Gen Fighters)

PLAAF (0)

IAF (175)

Mig-21 (175)- The IAF still operates a number of older Mig-21 designs. These aging fighters are slated to be phased out of IAF service by 2011. They possess aging airframes, and lack both BVR capability or enhanced WVR capability.

Clearly the IAF is at an disadvantage in terms of number (1191 vs 593).

In terms of quality, it depends on the particular aircraft and capability. For example, the Su-30MKI is the most advanced aircraft out of the two air forces, yet the Mig-21bis is also the least advanced. Furthermore, Indian and Chinese aircraft possess dissimilar advantages and disadvantages, making it difficult to do direct comparisons such as J-11B vs Su-30MKI and J-10 vs Mig-29. This is also seen in the radars of the two air forces, with the IAF possessing PESA radar on the MKI and possibly the Mig-29 in the future, while the PLAAF uses inferior mechanical array radars. On the other hand, the PLAAF has been able to develop mechanical array radars superior to the generation of Russian and Western radars found on the majority of IAF fighters.

In term of missile, the R-77/R-73 BVR/WVR combo is seen in both air forces. Both nations also use the Russian R-27 BVR missile. However, in recent years the PLA has also added the SD-10 BVR missile and PL-9 WVR missile on some of its newer aircraft.

Next is pilot training, according to external sources, only recently has PLAAF training begin to improve. Prior to the induction of Flankers, the average PLAAF pilot only flew for about 80-100 hours a year, as compared to the 210 hour average of the USAF. In recent years, the PLAAF has stepped up its training, requiring 180 hours for frontline fighter pilots and 120 hours for J-8 and J-7 pilots.

Pilot training the IAF varies widely by unit, though it is upwards of 200 hours for elite Su-30MKI squadrons.

Futhermore, beyond actual fighters, the PLAAF has a signifcant advantage in AWACs capability. The IAF has ordered 3 A-50 platforms from Russia but does not have any platforms in current operation. The PLAAF, on the other hand operates 4 KJ-2000 platforms and numerous smaller Y-8 platforms. The Chinese platforms all all indigenous, demonstrating that the Chinese are capable of designing and producing advanced AESA radars.

On a interesting note, China has got no air force wings or bases near India, for most of its airbases are either located near the Taiwan Strait, near Beijing, or in the Northeastern area of the country.