Air battle, held 27 February of this year in the sky Kashmir, It became one of the most talked about air fights, It happened recently. However, fairness, we note, what today, Fortunately, such fights in the world is a little, so that any of them will be the subject of debate and discussion.
As is known, over Kashmir seized warplanes Indian and Pakistani Air Force. Unfortunately, us so, nor the other party did not provide a detailed description of collision, which gave rise to a lot of different speculation in the media, both foreign, and the Russian-speaking. All this, of course, created fertile ground for speculation of the most amazing sense: eg, Indian Edition International Business Times printed an article, in which the author tells, that the Indian Air Force "slept through" the plaque and were forced to respond to the, which was near, as well as the derogation (well at least not stampede, and thanks for that) Su-30MKI fighters from Pakistan's F-16. Well, in India, of course, freedom of the press, but we have this stuff was served as "attempts" with a cool head "to analyze what, What happened in the area of the Indo-Pakistan border 27 February ".
try to understand, what actually could happen in that day,.
prehistory
It all started 14 February 2019 city, when in Jammu and Kashmir was an attack on a convoy of Indian troops. A suicide bomber blew himself, thus killing 45 human. Responsibility for the attack has taken the radical separatist group "Jaish-e-Muhammad" ("Army of Mohammed"), which has bases in Pakistan. For obvious reasons,, Indians do not want to pull the thing on the brakes, and 26 February air strikes against one of the camps "Army of Mohammed", located on the territory of Kashmir, Pakistan-controlled. As a result, the impact on the training camp in the town of Balakot, were killed on the data channel NDTV 300 terrorists. Pakistan also said, that the Indian Air Force did not kill a single person and not cause damage to the infrastructure.
Apparently, killed in an attack on a convoy they were handsomely avenged. But, With all due respect to the reasons Indians, note, that they actually used its armed forces on the territory of a sovereign state, which is the Pakistan. And because it is difficult to be surprised, that the next day the Pakistani Air Force showed up with retaliatory action.
Pakistan attacks
What happened later, rather difficult to understand, because the, as mentioned above, our India, nor Pakistan has not given an exhaustive description of the battle. It is known, that the Pakistani Air Force planes attacked, or, at least, We tried to put them on the projects in India, to be exact - some objects, positioned in the part of Kashmir, which is under the control of India. indicated, that the Pakistani side was represented by 24 Aircraft, including 8 F-16 fighters, 4 French Mirage-3 and 4 Chinese JF-17 Thunder, and 8 other, unidentified aircraft. The last in the raid were not involved, but it was in the air in the area of operation and, apparently, undertake further cover.
Likely, It was the case: 16 "Falcon", "Mirage" and "Thunder" (under the formidable title JF-17 «Thunder» hidden Chinese hack, created by MIG-21), crossed the air border of the contact line between India and Pakistan in Kashmir and struck their planned, then they tried to retreat into its airspace.
JF-17 "Thunder"
The other eight remain unknown aircraft over the territory of Pakistan, ready to support their shock group.
Actions of the Indian Air Force
is approved, that the invasion of the Pakistani Air Force airspace, controlled India, Indian plane found, it happened in 09.45. Judging by some of the English-language sources, it was one of the best of the Indian AWACS aircraft, but what kind of, dont clear. Indian Air Force tried to repel the invasion.
Just to the scene managed to pull off 8 aircraft - 4 Su-30MKI, 2 Mirage 2000 and further 2 "Bison", is one of the latest versions of the MiG-21.
This is known reliably, but then begin continuous speculation. According to Indian media (NDTV), their planes arrived at the site of action, when Pakistani strike group already departed after attack. This is very similar to the truth, because Pakistan wanted to clearly make swift action retaliation, and not to unleash a large-scale conflict. Respectively, tactics "quickly entered the Indian airspace - hit - and run back home" is more than justified, especially since the targets were set relatively close to the border. Calculation, obviously, I was on the, that the Indian Air Force aircraft will not pursue Pakistani aircraft beyond its airspace. Well, if this does happen, the Pakistani Air Force were ready for it - they insure the entire strike group 8 aircraft, probably - F-16.
But back to the Indians. According to one version, first to the scene came a pair of MiG-21. Using the data AWACS aircraft, these aircraft at low altitude close to the shock Pakistani group and then attacked. According to another version, MiG-21, arrived in the area of combat operations almost simultaneously with the rest of the combat aircraft, but the latter have not climbed on the rampage. But a pair of MiG-21 rushed to the attack, ignoring warnings, that the shock group of Pakistanis covered by fighters.
As a result, the lead MiG-y, piloted by Abhinandan Varthaman, I managed to get a bead on the outgoing F-16 and apply it on a rocket (or missiles?) "Air-to-air" short-range R-73. The Indians assured, Pakistani plane was shot down. At a press conference, Vice-Marshal Kapoor (rough translation): "There is credible evidence, Pakistan lost one F-16, but they can not be presented to the general public for reasons of secrecy ".
In response, Pakistani fighter jets launched 2 missiles AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM, and more opinions are different again. Some sources report, that the two missiles were fired at the lead MiG-21, from one of them managed to evade Abhinandan Varthaman, and the second struck his plane. According to another version, Both were fired MiG-21, but the slave was able to evade an attacking missile, and Abhinandan - no. Anyway, but it is known reliably, that the MiG-21, piloted Vrthaman, He was shot down.
Then, and perhaps, simultaneously with the MiG-21 attack, Pakistani fighter jets have fired AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM approaching Su-30MKI, applying either 4, to you 5 missiles, but success is not achieved. Initially, the Indian media even claimed, that the Su-30MKI fighters shot down a missile attack, but, likely, this reporter error - most likely it was a question, that the pilots "crackers", applying anti-missile maneuver and EW, We managed to avoid defeat.
On this, properly, fighting ended.
Losses
Pakistanis immediately declared, that brought down 2 Indian aircraft, without losing any of its. Indians as if first reported, that did not suffer losses (According to some Russian-language sources), and claimed the downed F-16, but almost immediately recognized the MiG-21 loss.
Most likely, Pakistan has lost an F-16, and India - MiG-21. Both planes fell into the territory, controlled Pakistan, so, properly, and there was a tale of two Indian planes shot down. The Pakistani military is simply not understood, considering both aircraft Indian, but on the submitted photographs of one of them, the characteristic number of the equipment was identified by the F-16.
true, then somehow interfered with US. Their newspaper «Foreign Policy» ("Foreign policy") published an article "India was hit by a Pakistani plane? US experts say "No" ", in which the author, Lara Seligman, proved, that no F-16 Indian pilots do not stray. As evidence is the statement of the two unnamed US officials of Defense Ministry. Here's the thing: under the terms and conditions of a contract, on the basis of which US supplied Pakistan F-16, Americans have the right to check the status of their aircraft sold. And so, after a fight over Kashmir Pakistanis asked the United States to recalculate the F-16, Americans did, and we did not see any casualties. At the same time Foreign Policy notes, that consist on the F-16, the Pakistan Air Force armament acquired not only in the US, but also in Jordan, where it was purchased 13 Machines of this type. But US officials in the calculations take into account and they.
In this way, according to the Americans, Indians came up with its success. The reason for this is they see, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi does not want to lose its rating on the eve of the All India elections.
Version, of course, interesting, But can we trust the American calculations? According to the author of this article - you can not. One side, Americans are certainly interested party: it is quite advantageous to hide the loss of Pakistani F-16, especially in connection with attempts to sell India aircraft of this type. Then it is not clear, why would it suddenly Islamabad, today conflict with the US, suddenly she turned to him for help.
The thing is, that Washington imposed partial sanctions against Pakistan Islamabad for failing to provide its airspace to flights of US drones. This is a very negative impact on the state of the country's fleet and, You can understand how, not everyone in the US purchased the aircraft managed to save a part of the Air Force. As far as the author knows, the total number of bet US F-16 was 78 u, in this way, taking into account 13 Jordanian machines total number was to make 91 meals. In the same time, Foreign Policy with reference to Aviation Week data & Space Technology reported the presence in the Pakistani Air Force only 73 aircraft - and is based on Jordanian trucks.
In other words, out so, that as a result of the ban on the corresponding delivery and maintenance, F-16, the Pakistan Air Force for some time had gone out of sight of the Americans, and during that time they have lost about 18 aircraft. In this way, if Pakistan is not retained defective aircraft (what for?), their conversion "over the heads" simply impossible.
officials, who believed the Pakistani planes are not named. Besides (Alas, English author does not allow him to independently understand such nuances), domestic "free press" in the article "New details of the battle between the MiG-21 and F-16 over Kashmir," he reported: "Department of State, although it is behind the publication in Foreign Policy, I have not commented on the article, and the publication itself considered it an exclusive Lara Seligman private opinion ".
But the most important proof, of course, steel pictures wreckage of F-16, Pakistanis are mistaken for Indian aircraft.
In this way, with high probability we can assert, as a result of clashes 27 February 2019 g. Pakistan lost one F-16, and India - one MiG-21. Besides, on the same day crashed Mi-17 helicopter Indian, but this disaster, obviously, nothing to do with Indo-Pakistani military operations /
What really happened?
Issues remain very much. Does success culminated in a Pakistani raid? Of course, Islamabad military reported about the defeat of goals, but somehow without the "spark", without details. At the same time, too, the Indians did not focus on the resulting damage. What does this mean? maybe, India adopted the "reception of silence", without advertising received fracture, but in the presence of human sacrifices to do so it would be very difficult. May be, in fact, Pakistani aircraft have failed to fulfill his assignment, and just dropped their deadly cargo, and departed, the appearance of the Indian aircraft. A may be so, that Islamabad, wanting to save face, but not wanting to aggravate the confrontation with India chose any objects as attack targets, lost all military or other value.
"We slept" Do IAF raid? Well, that's even one of the Indian publicists said, that slept. However, there is a sense of impartiality. Let us remember, that the day before the Indian Air Force bombed the territory, Pakistan-controlled, and where they were at this time the Pakistani Air Force? In fact, the air battle took place not when, when Indian aircraft entered the airspace of Pakistan, rather the contrary, and if we talk about, someone something "overslept", then this "overslept" will obviously Pakistan.
But the Indian Air Force 27 February failed to promptly lift into the air and throw into the area 8 fighters, whose actions, apparently, coordinated AWACS aircraft. In view of the extremely short time, which remained in their possession, it is quite a good result.
Why Indian Su-30MKI is not engaged in battle? Pilots feared the terrible American missiles AMRAAM? There is a much simpler and more plausible explanation. Recall, both lined in combat aircraft fell in Pakistan, and battle formations Pakistani aviation.
the, that the MiG-21 attacked Pakistanis, when they departed, undisputed. the, that the downed MiG-21 fell into the territory of Kashmir, controlled Pakistan, shows, that during the pursuit plane, manned Abhinandanom Varthamanom, I came close to the air borders. It is also clear, that India was interested in, to punish terrorists, but her plans are not included unleashing another Indo-Pakistani War.
so here, on the basis of the above it is very easy to assume, that Indian pilots had orders to fight solely over its territory, not climbing with the airspace of Pakistan. As a matter of fact, it is a natural situation for all the BBC World. so here, according to some, Four Su-30MKI fighters came to the area of combat operations at the same time, or a later pair of MIG-21, but before the "Mirage". However, even if it is not so, and all 8 Indian fighters were at the time "assembly", in any case:
1. They are confronted with the vastly superior forces of Pakistanis. Still, three to one (24:8) - it is not the ratio, which should take dogfight;
2. not fact, that the Su-30MKI and "Mirage" were close enough, in time to attack the retreating Pakistani planes, while they were still in the airspace of India;
3. Attack retreating Pakistanis are obviously self-defeating tactic, as the latter had air cover. It was his and had to be destroyed in the first place. But if Indian aircraft were ordered not to enter the airspace of Pakistan, to do this they had no right, because Pakistani fighter cover not cross the air border.
so here, most likely it happened, the pilots of the Su-30MKI fighters abandoned the attack, which would either put them already a few machines in a losing position, or would lead to an air battle over the territory of Pakistan, they certainly were not allowed. In other words, had no retreat or escape, but it was absolutely the right decision. But Abhinandan Varthaman heroically ignored the order and rushed to the attack (kşatrii, they are the Kshatriyas!), with the result that brought down an enemy aircraft, but it turned out to be shot down himself.
But the most important lesson in air combat 27 February 2019 g. was the use of AMRAAM missiles on the aircraft Su-30MKI. If this attack really took place and "drying" has been released 4-5 medium-range missiles, then the combat experience puts into question the concept of the American fighter aircraft. Of course, AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM is no longer on the peak of progress, but the Indian Su-30MKI is unlikely to have been equipped with the latest REP complexes like the same "Khibiny". And the fact, that no Indian aircraft 4th generation was not impressed by this rocket, makes me think, that the efficiency of modern medium-range missiles in combat fighting equipment equal technological level, It may be not so high, It is considered by many analysts, Calculating the combat capability of combat aircraft range missiles, him suspended.
In other words: today, "the Internet" a lot of discussion 2 the concept of aerial combat. According to the first of them, AEW combination airplane and equipment fighter missile "air-to-air" medium and long range will cause, that short-range dogfight (BVB) It will become a relic of the past. Respectively, in future wars, crucial role to play stealth fighter will, for which you can sacrifice a lot, including mobility. According to the second concept, URVV medium and long range are important and necessary, but nevertheless they are - only "a prelude" to the close range combat aircraft, means, allowing inflict considerable losses before the BVB, which the, properly, and decide the case. Respectively, mobility remains one of the most important qualities of the future combat fighter.
known, that Americans gravitate to the first concept, to the second - Russian VKS. And the experience of battle 27 January 2019 city, as it confirms the correctness of the domestic concept.
Andrew from Chelyabinsk
