In close combat, thrust vector control on the Flankers more than compensated for the greater thrust-to-weight ratio of the Typhoon. On 26 February 2019, four Sukhoi Su-30MKIs escorted Mirage 2000s into the Pakistani airspace for the Balakot airstrike on an alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed camp. The following day, two Su-30MKIs on combat air patrol were reportedly attacked by multiple Pakistani F-16s using AMRAAM missiles. The missiles were successfully dodged according to India. The debris of an AMRAAM missile was later recovered and displayed by the IAF to disprove the Pakistani claim of not using the F-16. Pakistani media claimed that PAF had downed an Indian Sukhoi Su-30MKI in the aerial skirmish. The Indian Air Force stated that all dispatched Sukhoi aircraft returned safely with the only confirmed loss was a MiG-21. On 8 October 2019, during the Indian Air Force Day celebrations, the IAF reportedly flew the Su-30MKI that Pakistan claimed to have shot down. On 18 March 2022, it was reported that India ordered 12 Su-30MKIs. In May 2022, the Indian government suspended the Su-30MKI order due to concerns over Moscow's ability to deliver parts to Hindustan Aeronautics and issues related to payment transfers. Operators Indian Air Force – 261 in inventory, 11 crashed, 12 more planned. Bareilly AFS: 15 Wing No. 8 Squadron IAF (Eight Pursoots) No. 24 Squadron IAF (Hawks) Chabua AFS: 14 Wing No. 102 Squadron IAF (Trisonics) Halwara AFS: 9 Wing No. 220 Squadron IAF (Desert Tigers) No. 221 Squadron IAF (Valiants) Jodhpur AFS: 32 Wing No. 31 Squadron IAF (Lions) Lohegaon AFS: 2 Wing No. 20 Squadron IAF (Lightnings) No. 30 Squadron IAF (Rhinos) Sirsa AFS: 45 Wing No. 15 Squadron IAF (Flying Lancers) Tezpur AFS: 11 Wing No. 2 Squadron IAF (Winged Arrows) No. 106 Squadron IAF (Lynxes) Maharajpur AFS: 40 Wing TACDE Thanjavur AFS: 47 Wing No. 222 Squadron IAF (Tigersharks) Accidents and incidents , eleven Su-30MKIs had been lost to crashes since the introduction of aircraft in 2000. Specifications (Su-30MKI) See also References Notes Citations Bibliography External links Amateur website about Su-30MKI Core Avionics for Su-30MKI Canard aircraft HAL aircraft 1980s Soviet fighter aircraft 2000s Indian fighter aircraft Su-30MKI Twinjets Three-surface aircraft India–Russia relations Aircraft first flown in 1997 Twin-tail aircraft