In a significant disclosure that underscores the scale and success of India’s recent military operations, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has confirmed that six Pakistani aircraft — including five fighter jets and one large surveillance aircraft — were brought down during Operation Sindoor, a decisive offensive that followed the Pahalgam terror attack on May 7. This is the first detailed revelation by the IAF about the damage inflicted on Pakistan’s aerial capabilities during the high-stakes confrontation.
According to Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, the “big bird” downed by the IAF was an AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft, a critical asset in Pakistan’s air defence network. The loss of such an advanced surveillance platform dealt a severe blow to the Pakistan Air Force’s operational strength and intelligence-gathering capability. The Air Chief noted that this was one of the most remarkable feats of the mission, with the large aircraft being neutralised from a distance of 300 kilometres — a record-breaking long-range surface-to-air kill in military aviation history.
Speaking at the 16th Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Lecture in Bengaluru, Air Chief Marshal Singh credited much of the operation’s success to the recently acquired Russian-made S-400 Triumf missile system, describing it as a true “game-changer” in modern air defence. He explained that the range, precision, and multi-target engagement capability of the S-400 had effectively neutralised Pakistan’s ability to deploy long-range glide bombs and other high-value aerial munitions. The Pakistani Air Force, he said, was unable to breach the S-400’s formidable shield, forcing its aircraft to stay out of range and limiting its offensive capacity.
“Our air defence network worked flawlessly, and the S-400 system, which was inducted only recently, fundamentally changed the rules of engagement. It kept the enemy aircraft far from their strike range, effectively preventing them from using some of their most dangerous weaponry,” Singh stated.
The IAF’s aerial superiority during Operation Sindoor was not limited to mid-air engagements. The Air Chief also confirmed that precision strikes targeted key Pakistani airbases, including Jacobabad and Bholari, resulting in substantial damage to their parked assets. Intelligence inputs suggest that in Bholari, another AEW&C aircraft — similar to the one downed in the air — was likely destroyed while stationed in a hangar. In addition, several US-made F-16 fighter jets undergoing maintenance in Jacobabad were also destroyed in the strikes, further crippling Pakistan’s front-line fighter capability.
The scale of these targeted operations has raised strategic concerns in Pakistan’s defence circles, as the loss of high-value platforms like AEW&C aircraft and multiple F-16s represents not just an immediate operational setback but also a long-term dent in force readiness. The destruction of advanced airborne surveillance systems is especially damaging, as it reduces an air force’s ability to coordinate air defence, detect enemy movement, and conduct precision-guided operations.
Air Chief Marshal Singh emphasised that the sheer scale of losses suffered by the Pakistan Air Force was a turning point in the conflict. The damage inflicted during Operation Sindoor was so severe that, according to him, Pakistan quickly recognised that a prolonged confrontation would only lead to deeper strategic setbacks. This realisation, he noted, was a key factor in Pakistan’s move to seek a ceasefire soon after the operation.
Military analysts point out that Operation Sindoor not only highlighted India’s evolving defence capabilities but also demonstrated a shift in the South Asian aerial power equation. The integration of cutting-edge technology like the S-400 system has significantly enhanced India’s air defence deterrence, making it harder for adversaries to mount offensive air campaigns without sustaining prohibitive losses. Moreover, the long-range precision targeting capabilities displayed during the operation send a clear message about India’s readiness to respond decisively to provocations, particularly those linked to cross-border terrorism.
The operational success of Operation Sindoor also holds broader implications for regional security, as it reaffirms India’s doctrine of swift and high-impact retaliation against hostile actions. By combining advanced missile systems with well-coordinated aerial strikes, the IAF was able to achieve strategic objectives while limiting the duration of the conflict — an approach that could serve as a model for future engagements in the region.
In the aftermath, defence experts believe that Pakistan will face a challenging period of rebuilding its aerial assets, particularly the costly and technologically sophisticated AEW&C platforms. The loss of multiple F-16s, a backbone of Pakistan’s fighter fleet, will further strain its operational readiness and compel a reassessment of its tactical air defence strategies.
While both nations have refrained from further escalation since the ceasefire, the events of May 7 and the subsequent Operation Sindoor will likely be studied in military academies for years to come as a case of technological dominance, rapid decision-making, and strategic precision. For India, it stands as a testament to the effectiveness of its modernised defence architecture and the preparedness of its armed forces to safeguard national security in an increasingly volatile neighbourhood.
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