* Why is the Su-34 more likely to be shot down by the Patriot than the Su-35?
Although the Su-34 and Su-35 are both fighter aircraft developed based on the Soviet Su-27, the survival chances of these two aircraft are completely different when encountering missile systems. MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air.
Evidence is that on March 2, the Ukrainian Defense Forces shot down a Su-34 aircraft, while the Su-35 multi-role fighter aircraft avoided the attack.
Su-34 and Su-35 fighter jets. Photo: Defense Express
According to Defense Express, it can be argued that aircraft can avoid missiles, but the outcome of avoiding that missile depends on a series of important factors such as route and range, flight mode as well as such as aircraft parameters, missile guidance systems…
Anti-missile drills are one of the basics of tactical aviation pilot training, but none of them involve efforts to dodge missiles. The avoidance result also depends on the type of missile fired: MANPADS, long-range missiles of the Patriot system, or missiles of the S-400 surface-to-air missile system.
In this case, this is the Patriot system with PAC-2/GEM+ air defense missiles launched at high altitude targets at maximum close range, determined within a range of 150-160km as well as a no-escape zone. about 110km. The guidance system of this missile is radio command during the flight and at the end – with target coordinates determined through a semi-active missile seeker. With such a guidance system, even before the missile is launched, equipment on any fighter will detect an active Patriot radar. A few seconds later, the radar will switch from tracking mode to shooting mode. The pilot took evasive action as instructed. The easiest way to solve this situation is when the aircraft is at a certain altitude and flight speed, the pilot must dive at maximum speed to break the distance from the aircraft to the missile.
In this situation, every second is important and greatly depends on the aircraft itself, its maneuverability and the allowable load. For the Su-35 fighter, it is about 9G, but for the Su-34 it is 7G. The Su-34 is about 4 tons heavier than the Su-35 (empty weight) and has a lower carrying load. Before performing this operation, the Su-34 must drop bombs, causing certain limitations during the operation. As a result, the Su-34 has less chance of escaping than the Su-35. This is clearly shown through statistics: From February 17 to March 2, Ukrainian forces shot down 12 Su-34 aircraft and only 2 Su-35 fighter jets (information provided by the Ukrainian side). show).
* India opens a strategic naval base in Lakshadweep
AFP reported that the Indian Navy is increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean, on “strategically important” islands near the Maldives.
Accordingly, on March 6, the Indian Navy will open an additional INS Jatayu base on Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep, near the Maldives, just a few days before New Delhi begins withdrawing troops from the Maldives.
The Indian Navy practices for the Republic Day parade in January 2023. Photo: Reuters