There is a saying “It happens only in India”.
A recent event seems to justify the same. A top American pilot has got
the real feel of a Russian 'Flanker' which is part of the Indian Air Force.
The person is Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, who is currently the US Pacific Air Force Commander.
Viewers may note that General Wilsbach flew and still flies F-22 Raptor which
is considered to be the most lethal fighter jet in the world.
In this video, Defense Updates analyzes what are the implications of a US Airforce commander
operating Russian developed Indian Su-30 MKI? Let's get started.
The
Sukhoi Su-30 is a twin-engine, two-seat supermaneuverable fighter aircraft developed
in the Soviet Union by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation. It is a multirole
fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions.
The SU-30, developed by Sukhoi is considered to be one of the most
successful Russian defense export programs in the past two decades.
It is in service with about 12 nations including China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Algeria and Venezuela.
The Su-30 is the backbone of the Indian Air Force, which operates around 272 Su-30MKI jets,
a unique version specifically designed for India.
MKI meaning "Modernized Commercial Indian”
in English is jointly developed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited or HAL.
It is the first Su-30 family member to feature thrust vectoring control (TVC) and canards.
It is interesting to note that the MKI version of Su-30 includes Israeli and French avionics.
For example, the aircraft is fitted with a French-made heads-up display system
and an Israeli-made electronic warfare system, and an advanced targeting pod.
General Wilsbach’s engagement with Su-30 MKI
was not accidental or just for photo ops but actually a training mission.
This took place as part of the Indo-US joint exercise ‘Cope India’.
The exercise is being held from April 10 to 24 at
the Kalaikunda base. The base is home to a squadron of the Indian Air Force.
US F-15 fighter jets and B-1B Bombers engaged
in wargames with India’s Sukhoi-30 MKI and homegrown Teja's warplanes.
It is evident that Wilsbach got up close and personal with the flight
capabilities and avionics of the modern Russian fighter as he actually flew the aircraft.
Neither the Indian Air Force nor the US Air Force
has released details about Wilsbach’s training mission.
However, the training is conducted in two stages. The first, which began on April 10,
aims to operate standard flights with transport planes or refueling planes.
The first stage also trains a joint [US Air Force and Indian Air Force] transport aircraft escort.
Wilsbach also held interactions with Air Marshal SP Dharkar,
AOC-in-C of IAF's Eastern Air Command and the exercise participants.
Gen. Wilsbach told reporters, “We have an opportunity not only
to show the aircraft (B1) in public, the crew have an opportunity to train with one another
and incorporate the bombers into the scenarios so that everybody on all sides has a chance to
see how they operate and we can improve our tactics, techniques, and procedures,”
He added, “Message is one of interoperability and the two Air Forces working together.”
Importantly, the aircraft could be seen with ACMI Pod.
Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) systems record an aircraft's in-flight data.
They are often used by the military for aerial combat training and analysis.
This enables real-time air-to-air exercises to be carried out and also complex ground
debriefs (after-action review or AAR) based on data recorded at the time.
Such de-briefs involve the use of modern graphics and display
techniques that can bring out training and other points to aircrew and ground staff.
The presence of General Ken Wilsbach on board the Su-30MKI can be defined as an event in itself.
It’s not every day that a US Air Force pilot gets the chance to operate a fighter
jet that is part of the main strike force of Russian aviation right now.
Any opportunity to get a closer look at Russian warplanes would benefit both American fighter
pilots and well as military planners. There is no doubt that the American
general will be shared his thoughts on the jet with the Pentagon.
But this is one side of the story. It is to be noted that China also
operates several Russian fighter jets including Su-35 and their unethical copies like J-15.
Interestingly, in the Japanese-Indian air exercise which ended very recently.,
New Delhi had sent four of its Su-30MKIs to war-game with Japan’s F-15s.
Also, as part of ‘Cope India’ joint engagement and air mobility,
will be practiced later and pilots and their aircraft from Japan are invited to the exercise.
India is on good terms with Russia but the country along
with the US & Japan has China as its common foe.
So, india is playing a key role in proving its allies with important insights on China.