I did a bit more digging, and I am able to find an image of a Su-30MKI carrying a R-77 on that station. However I'm unsure if it is rated for actual operational carriage on that station, and I can't say I've seen a Su-30MKK or MKI carrying a R-77 on that station in flight.
Nevertheless, in the case of J-16, at this stage we should not assume that it is capable of doing so.
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Here's a more interesting question for everyone -- so, we all know that the J-16 traces its lineage to the Su-30MKK that the PLA bought.
Well, looking at some of the promotional material for the Su-30MK family, in terms of its BVRAAM compatible wing stations, only its second from the centre pylon seems rated for BVRAAMs, even though the innermost wing stations are clearly rated to be able to carry heavier A2G ordnance, see here:
(What's odd, is that I've been able to find images of some Su-30MKIs with BVRAAM mockkups on those innermost wing stations in flight, but none for Su-30MKKs or J-16s)
And I've just scoured quite a few images we have of the J-16, and I cannot find any picture of it carrying a BVRAAM at the innermost wing stations.
Now, I find that interesting because I feel like there shouldn't be any reason why that innermost wing station would not be rated for BVRAAM carriage, and my working assumption has always been that it was compatible, and that perhaps we just don't have that many pictures of PLA Flankers carrying a full load and those innermost wing stations are the lowest in priority for BVRAAM carriage.
But, I would throw out this question for various people reading this thread -- are you able to find a picture of a J-16 carrying a
regular sized BVRAAM (i.e.: PL-12 or PL-15), at one of the innermost wing weapons stations (circled red below)?
I ask this out of my own curiosity, as I expect those stations should be BVR compatible, but the lack of any images in my search is somewhat jarring.
42ADFEE7-07BD-4A84-A143-03347E85F147.jpeg
