The "Indradhanush-2015" wargame has just ended in Coningsby, Lincolnshire (UK). The exercise included close combat, called "dogfight", among the English pilots on their Eurofighter Typhoon, in opposition to the Indians aboard the Sukhoi-30 MKI.
Twelve "clashes" were planned, which included one-on-one, one-on-two and two-against-one scenarios, at the rate of four per type. Indian Sukhoi prevailed every twelve times.
Obviously the RAF immediately tried to justify the disastrous result of the exercise on the grounds that the Eurofighters were flying without the aid of BVR radars, capable of identifying targets and conducting fights beyond sight.
The explanation to the English debacle appears to be very inopportune, as the exercises focused on the WVR scenario, within the visual range, in which the launch of the missiles was simulated two miles away between the aircraft.
In reality this defeat is a direct consequence of the design philosophy of the new western aircraft. In fact, for NATO the "dogfight" is an outdated practice to which the air superiority achievable with BVR radars and air-to-air missiles capable of knocking down a hostile jet beyond the horizon is preferred.
On the contrary the Russians build “super maneuverable” fighter jets: it is a peculiarity obtained by the use of vector thrust and the post-stall control of the apparatus to allow the pilot to perform maneuvers at very high angle of attack. Instead, Western aeronautics prefer to retain the kinetic energy produced by the aircraft in combat.
It is possible that this difference in the design phase would cause NATO difficulties, since the combat could take place precisely in the circumstances subject of the exercise, in fact it is possible to force the scenario less favorable to the opponent, taking advantage of the atmospheric conditions, of areas of shadow radar and also generating false traces or "baits".
If such tactics were to have the desired effect, NATO aircraft would be forced to accept the combat in which they have shown themselves to be inferior not only in Coningsby with the Typhoons, but also with the F-15s and Mirage 2000s in other fights against Il Sukhoi-30.
(photo: Royal Air Force)
