The Arab World’s Most Dangerous Fighter Plane: Algerian Su-30MKA vs. Saudi F-15SA

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The Arab World’s Most Dangerous Fighter Plane: Algerian Su-30MKA vs. Saudi F-15SA


Since the Cold War, the countries of the Arab world have built up strong air combat capabilities and lobbied major suppliers, namely the United States and the Soviet Union, to obtain the most capable combat and support aircraft. Although the capabilities of most of the leading Arab air forces of the era were severely reduced, so were those in Libya and Iraq. target=”_blank”>UnstableFollow Western AttackSyria is exhausted by a Western- and Turkish-backed rebellion, while Egypt has struggled for decades with its own air combat capabilities. Competitive air weapons. While the Arab states have yet to achieve the procurement of the first batch of fifth-generation fighter jets, the two significantly enhanced fourth-generation heavyweight fighters that entered service in the 2000s and 2010s are now considered to have unparalleled advantages in the region. These include the Algerian Air Force Su-30MKA, first ordered in 2006, with the last one ordered in 2019, taking the order to 72 fighter jets, while the Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA ordered 72 fighter jets. Ordered, with deliveries to begin in late 2016. Customization requirements title=”Su-27 (left) and F-15 fighter jets”

The Su-30 is available as a two-seat variant. The MKA variant ordered by Algeria has been significantly enhanced with technology from Algeria. . Canceling the Su-27M and Following testing of the AN/APG-63 radar on the experimental F-15C, the F-15SA is the second variant of the F-15 equipped with an active electronically scanned array radar/D installation in the United States since 2000 It entered service with the Air Force and was later integrated into the F-15SG variant built for the Republic of Singapore Air Force. The development of the Saudi Arabian F-15 variant is an important milestone in the history of the fighter program. The most significant change is the integration of a digital fly-by-wire control system, which replaced the original hybrid electronic/mechanical system, significantly improving the aircraft's flight performance and allowing it to carry more commands on two additional wing pylons. . The aircraft also incorporates new General Electric F110-GE-129 engines, AN/ALQ-239 digital electronic warfare systems and an enhanced cockpit originally designed for the F-15SE Silent Eagle sold to South Korea. Its wing structure has also been significantly modified. title=”Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force F-15SA equipped with AIM-120 missiles”

Both the Su-30MKA and F-15SA represent major successes for their respective countries' aviation industries. Shortly after starting production for Algeria, Russia will begin purchasing the Su-30SM, a close derivative of the Su-30MKA, with orders still ongoing and expected to expand the fleet to more than 150 fighters. The United States will produce 36 slightly enhanced F-15SA derivatives, the F-15QA, for the Qatar Air Force and then invest in one more F-15QA aircraft. target=”_blank”>A further enhanced variant of the aircraft, the F-15EX, is used in its own fleet. The F-15EX is the first fourth-generation fighter jet the U.S. Air Force has received since it stopped purchasing F-16s in 2005. The procurement of this level is mainly due to the first fourth-generation fighter jet the U.S. Air Force received after it stopped purchasing F-16s in 2005. generation fighter. target=”_blank”>Serious shortcomings The F-22 fifth-generation fighter jet forced the Pentagon to cut program orders by 75%. In Russia, the Su-30SM was not originally planned to be purchased, but was selected due to the country's cancellation of the “a href=” program. target=”_blank”>MiG 1.42 fifth generation fighterand severe delayto the later Su-57 fifth-generation fighter project. In both cases, export orders played an important role in keeping Cold War fighter design production lines open and modern, allowing both the United States and Russia to turn to enhanced versions of these aircraft when they encountered problems with their fifth-generation fighters. ;/p>

Comparing the F-15SA and Su-30MKA, the two aircraft have completely different advantages. The AN/APG-63 is considered a much more advanced radar than the N011M, particularly in terms of its electronic warfare capabilities and reduced radar signature, which is probably the Saudi fighter's most significant advantage. The AN/APG-63's ground mapping capabilities are reportedly particularly advanced, and the N011M is widely regarded as a fairly capable radar, especially in air-to-air engagements, largely due to its larger size than the radar carried by the F Much more, close to 50%. In terms of armament, the Su-30MKA is better equipped, especially in air defense suppression operations where the “a href=” system is deployed. target=”_blank”>Kh-31 air-to-ground missileattacking the target at a speed close to Mach 3. It has few rivals in terms of maneuverability, while its internal fuel range is significantly longer than any Western fighter class. title=“F-15 and Su-30MKI Fighters”

Although the F-15SA and Su-30MKA are ranked equally, the main advantage of the Algerian fighter is the result of relevant political factors. Russia will not only not be as good as the United States against The equipment supplied to the country has been downgraded, as are fighter jets sold to the Gulf, and Moscow has imposed few restrictions on how the aircraft can be used. The aircraft can therefore operate outside Algerian airspace, deploy to new bases or launch attacks on new targets without notifying Russian personnel or requesting permission. By comparison, exports of U.S. fighter jets to the Arab world and most non-Western countries are “a href=” target=”_blank”>very strictly restrictedHow and where to use them. So, while the Su-30MKA and the F-15SA are highly comparable fighter aircraft, with the former having an advantage in terms of flight performance and the latter in terms of avionics, the Su-30MKA has an advantage given its greater freedom of operation It's overwhelming. interest target=”_blank”>Chinese FC-31 fighter jetwhich has been reported by multiple sources as having placed ordersfor Russian Su-57 fighter jet

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