Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Tejas, both are great aircraft, however, Sukhoi is a heavyweight twin-engine aircraft and Tejas is a lightweight single-engine aircraft. Therefore, it is not very wise to compare the two. However, the basic stats comparison is given below-
Engine comparision-
SU-30 MKI -
Powerplant: 2 × Lyulka AL-31FP afterburning turbofan engines, 123 kN (28,000 lbf) with afterburner
Tejas-
Powerplant: 1 × GE 404F2/J-IN20[260] afterburning turbofan with FADEC, 53.9 kN (12,100 lbf) thrust dry, 90 kN (20,200 lbf) with afterburner
Performance comparison-
Su-30MKI -
Maximum speed: Mach2.0
Range: 3,000 km (1,900 mi, 1,600 nmi)
Ferry range: 8,000 km (5,000 mi, 4,300 nmi) with two in-flight refuellings
Service ceiling: 17,300 m (56,800 ft)
g limits: +9
Rate of climb: 300 m/s (59,000 ft/min) +
Wing loading: 401 kg/m2 (82 lb/sq ft)
Tejas-
Maximum speed: Mach 1.6
Range: 1,850 km (1,150 mi, 459 nmi)
Combat range: 500 km (310 mi, 270 nmi) with internal tanks
Ferry range: 3,200 km (1,986 mi, 1,726 nmi) with 2x external drop tanks
Endurance: 4 hours
Service ceiling: 16,500 m (50,000 ft)
g limits: +9/−3.5
Wing loading: 255.2 kg/m2 (52.3 lb/sq ft)
Weapons-
Su-30MKI-
The Su-30MKI is armed with a 30mm Gsh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds of ammunition. The aircraft features 12 hardpoints capable of carrying external stores of up to 8t. The aircraft can launch a range of air-to-surface missiles, including Kh-29L/T/TYe, Kh-31A/P, Kh-59M and Nirbhay.
The Su-30MKI fleet of IAF was fitted with air-launched version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and was successfully tested in November 2017. The BrahMos can strike targets within the range of 290km. The IAF completed the successful integration of the cruise missile on the fighter, with the third live firing of the missile from the aircraft in December 2019.
The aircraft can also carry Vympel-built R-27R, R-73 and R-77 air-to-air missiles, as well as rocket pods, KAB-500 and KAB-1500 laser-guided bombs.
The Su-30MKI is fitted with a tarang radar warning receiver (RWR) indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The aircraft also integrates chaff / flare dispensers and active jammers.
Tejas -
Tejas is a precision weapon launch platform with seven hardpoints to carry a range of air-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, unguided rockets and conventional/retarded bombs. The choice of three hardpoints under each wing and one under the fuselage allow the aircraft to carry a range of missiles, bombs and rockets.
The air-to-air missiles include Astra BVRAAM, Vympel R-77 and R-73. The air-to-surface missiles are Kh-59ME TV guided stand-off missile and Kh-59MK laser-guided stand-off missile. A 23mm twin-barrel GSh-23 cannon is also mounted on the aircraft.
The aircraft’s electronic warfare suite, developed by the Advanced Systems Integration and Evaluation Organisation (ASIEO) of Bangalore, includes a radar warning receiver and jammer, laser warner, missile approach warner and chaff and flare dispenser.
Avionics-
Su-30MKI-
Bars passive electronically scanned array radar
EL/M-8222 jammer
DRDO Tarang MK.II radar warning receiver
OLS-30 laser-optical infra-red search and track
Tejas-
Hybrid Elta EL/M-2032 multi-mode all weather fire control radar with day and night capability.
DARE Unified Electronic Warfare Suite (UEWS) for Tejas Mk1A.(planned)
Elta EL/M 2052 AESA Radar for the first batch of 20 Tejas Mark 1A.(planned)
LRDE Uttam AESA Radar will be integrated from 21st Tejas Mark 1A.(planned)
Overall, both are great aircraft. The Su-30 MKI has more hardpoints,great manoeuvrablity and can carry more weapons but the Tejas has a comparatively lower radar cross section than the flanker. Tejas mk1a will be even better!
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