Aircraft of the Pakistani Air Force reportedly brought down during Operation Sindoor, according to the Air Force Chief.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a significant operation, Operation Sindoor, in early May 2025, targeting nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). The operation was a response to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre [6].
During the operation, the IAF confirmed the downing of six Pakistani aircraft, including five fighter jets and one large aircraft, believed to be an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) or ELINT aircraft [1][3][4]. This loss dealt a massive blow to Pakistan's air strength, as Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh described this as "the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill," achieved notably with the help of the Russian-supplied S-400 air defense system [1][4].
The IAF's attacks were calibrated, according to Air Chief Marshal Singh [7]. In addition to aerial kills, the IAF conducted precision strikes on several Pakistani airbases and military infrastructure. This included damage to runways at PAF Base Mushaf (Sargodha) and Rahim Yar Khan Airport, the destruction of military hangars including those housing F-16s, and destruction of radar facilities [2][3][5]. Satellite imagery corroborated the physical damage, showing craters on runways and collapsed hangars.
US-made F-16s, under maintenance at one of the hangars, were destroyed in the aerial strikes [2]. Air Chief Marshal Singh shared 'before and after' satellite images of the terror targets that were struck during the May 7 attack [7].
However, no new information was provided about any further damage to Pakistani aircraft or infrastructure beyond what was previously reported [1]. Air Chief Marshal Singh did not mention any new losses or kills during the operation [7]. The Indian Air Force reported five confirmed kills during the operation [1].
The hostilities between India and Pakistan ended on May 10 [8]. Air Chief Marshal Singh credited the political leadership for providing the Indian forces with full freedom to plan and execute the attacks [7]. He also mentioned that they had evidence from local media to support their claims [2]. The Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, stated that the S-400 surface-to-air missile system was a "game-changer" and prevented Pakistan from using long-range glide bombs, but he did not provide any new information about the use or effectiveness of the system [1][4].
In summary, Operation Sindoor resulted in significant losses for Pakistan's air capabilities, with six aircraft downed and key military assets severely damaged. The operation was a decisive response to the Pahalgam massacre and demonstrated the Indian Air Force's ability to conduct precision strikes with the support of advanced technology like the S-400 air defense system.
References: 1. The Indian Express 2. NDTV 3. Hindustan Times 4. Business Standard 5. The Week 6. Al Jazeera 7. CNN 8. BBC
- The financial sector, particularly aviation manufacturers such as those supplying the F-16s, may need to reassess their relationships with Pakistan following the significant losses of Pakistani aircraft during Operation Sindoor.
- The Indian Air Force's use of the S-400 air defense system in Operation Sindoor highlights the importance of advanced technology in contemporary war-and-conflicts, a matter of general news and interest in the aerospace industry.
- The political leadership's decisions during the Indo-Pak tensions, as seen in Operation Sindoor, have far-reaching implications for the region's geopolitical landscape, a topic of debate in politics and international relations.
