I saw this aircraft since its induction, reason of cobra kulbeit maoeuver is its thrust to weight ratio 8.3:1 this makes aircraft to sustain itself in any configuration. Su-30MKI is fitted with classifed radar system claimed to be of generation 5. Su-30MKK of china is considered to be of gen 4 and IAF SU-30MKI is generation 4.5 apart from this aircraft is mounted with 30 mm gun and also can perform all aerobatic manoeuver that f-22 can perform. I saw f-16 during 'aero india 2006' when indian enterpreneur RATAN TATA flew f-16. aircraft is smaller in size and performs nice manoeuver. with sukhoi exhaust is six feet wide. i entered the engine upto upper turbine in standing position. this russian beauty is simply marvelous. ther is no words for it. but for now we have only 42 in numbers. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's Nasik unit will be supplying 12 of them per year. it is under licensed production of 150. apart from that soon india is going to buy 126 MMRCA aircraft chances are for Mig-35, Su-35, and for Rafale.
it is the most nimble and most agile close combat air superiority fighter and also its longer wing span reduces its air drag immidiately after its takeoff making it take extereme hard right or extreme left turn at the speed of just 100 km/hr. reqirement of runway is just 110mts to 135mts depends upon ammunition it is carrying. it can take off from smallest runways of hilly kashmir. but god forbid, if something bad turn between india and pakistan the aircraft may not be first priority due to presence of Mig-29s.
happy new tear
jeetiaf