[sukhoi-30mki]

The Super Hornet is also heavier & more expensive.Serious considerations if you are on a medium size carrier with a ski-jump.Not to mention political factors-buy Yankee,the Deal is off!!

The only other aircraft seriously considered by India was the French Rafale M.

[Red6]

Thrust to weight is about the same, so is wing loading. However, the SH has less swept wings and excellent low speed handling and stall charachteristsic. The F18 and SH were “designed” as carrier aircraft, for the MIG29 it’s an after thought. They are taking a land based platform with the MIG and trying to make it fit a new role it was never conceived for. With a SH you don't find stress franctures all over the place, most of the crap they claim about new engines for carrier ops is old hat that's even on a SH60 in the USN.

The SH is hands down the most capable carrier based platform anywhere today. The MIG29 is a Soviet attempt at building a cheap land based fighter comparable to a F16. A Cold War relict with short legs and quick turn around times and modest payload, this platform in a naval version is overtaxed.