Figaro
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This is incorrect. The J-11A (i.e. Su-27SK) BVR capabilities are much weaker than that of the Gripen to begin off with. That is why the J-11A pilots underperformed vs the Gripen. Just to give you an idea, the J-11A outperformed the Gripen 25 to 1 in WVR combat (that means 25 Gripens were shot down for the loss of 1 J-11A). The Gripen's dominance came in BVR combat, where it slaughtered the J-11As in similar fashion. I do agree there is a certain deficiency in the pilot training for BVR combat ... but that is because these are J-11 pilots, who operate fighters with relatively poor BVR capabilities. These pilots were too used to WVR combat, which is where the J-11A excels in whereas for the Gripen it is opposite. It is hard for the pilots to gain extensive BVR training when their aircraft is not very capable of BVR combat, just like how the Gripen pilots were clearly not trained as well for WVR combat. The "poor situational awareness" and "little experience in avoiding missile shots" are all hallmarks of BVR combat. I'm sure the Gripen pilots about their weakness in WVR combat, just like the J-11A pilots learned about their weakness in BVR combat.The problem ain't tech. The problem is that Chinese airforce still operate under antiquated Soviet style tactics.
“The Chinese pilots had poor situational awareness,” Alert 5 reported, citing the presentation. “Too much focus was on front of the aircraft rather than all around.” In phases of the war game where J-11s escorted other planes, there was a “lack of coordination.”
Chinese pilots “were not experienced in avoiding missile shots,” Alert 5 continued. “Their responses were too mechanical and [they] could not judge correctly the evasive techniques for missiles with different ranges.”
Here is an excellent write up analyzing the exercises : https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/fla...-happened-at-the-falcon-strike-2015-exercise/
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