Pakistan has purchased Chinese J-31 fighters. The first batch of aircraft has already been delivered to the country. The Indian Air Force will only be able to counter the J-31 with Russian Su-30MKIs, writes the author of "Military Review".
It is our aircraft in the Indian assembly that will have to take the full brunt. And there is no reason to doubt that it will happen.
As "Military Review" writes, the J-31 airframe is significantly smaller than the Su-30MKI, and the presence of a two-wheeled nose landing gear with a reinforced strut indicates the possibility of its use on ships.
A Guizhou WS-13 engine is installed on a number of Chinese fighters, including the J-31. Today, China is working on its improved version, the WS-13E, with a thrust of 9,000 kgf. The Su-30MKI is equipped with AL-31FP engines. The engine power is 12,500 kgf.
According to the publication, the J-31 carries up to 8,000 kg of bombs and missiles. Approximately the same amount of weapons can be mounted on the Su-30MKI's pylons as on the Chinese fighter. Overall, the Russian aircraft's altitude-speed and maneuverability characteristics are many times better, "Military Review" concluded.
Read more on the topic:
India does not need Russia: HAL has manufactured the first AL-31FP engine for Su-30MKI fighters
India refuses Rosoboronexport to install the AL-41F-1S engine on the Su-30MKI fighter
India to upgrade Su-30MKI fighters to F-15EX, Rafale F4, Gripen NG level
