SOURCE: AFI
According to report in the NDTV, The Indian Navy demonstrated its maritime dominance when a MiG-29K fighter jet intercepted a lone Pakistan Navy RAS-72 Sea Eagle maritime patrol aircraft a few days after the cessation of military hostilities between India and Pakistan. The incident, which occurred during the ongoing Operation Sindoor in May 2025, showcased the Navy’s vigilance as the INS Vikrant-led battle group tracked and forced the Pakistani aircraft to retreat. This encounter underscores the tense aftermath of the India-Pakistan conflict and the Indian Navy’s readiness to protect its maritime boundaries.
The RAS-72 Sea Eagle, a maritime patrol variant of the ATR-72 turboprop aircraft, was detected by the INS Vikrant battle group, comprising over 36 warships and submarines, shortly after the ceasefire was brokered on May 10, 2025. Operating in the Arabian Sea, the Vikrant group had been on high alert following Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The Pakistani aircraft, likely conducting surveillance near the India-Pakistan maritime boundary, was tracked using the battle group’s advanced radar and sensor suite.
A MiG-29K, launched from the INS Vikrant, India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, swiftly responded to the intrusion. Positioning itself within a few hundred meters of the RAS-72, the fighter jet executed a “formatting” maneuver—flying in close formation to signal intent—compelling the Pakistani aircraft to abort its mission and return to the coast. Navy sources described the interception as a textbook operation, highlighting the MiG-29K’s agility and the crew’s precision in enforcing India’s maritime domain awareness.
The RAS-72, equipped with radar and electro-optical systems for maritime patrol, is a key asset for the Pakistan Navy, often used to monitor Indian naval activities in the Arabian Sea. Its interception by the MiG-29K, armed with R-77 air-to-air missiles and capable of supersonic speeds, reinforced India’s control over its maritime approaches, sending a clear message to Pakistan.
This incident highlights the Indian Navy’s enhanced capabilities, bolstered by the INS Vikrant, commissioned in 2022, and its fleet of MiG-29Ks, upgraded with Israeli and indigenous avionics. The swift response underscores the Navy’s ability to maintain a deterrent posture even after hostilities, ensuring that Pakistan does not exploit the ceasefire for reconnaissance. The Vikrant battle group’s role in tracking the RAS-72 also reflects improved coordination with the IAF and the Integrated Defence Command, a key outcome of recent military reforms.
The encounter occurred against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor’s broader impact, where India neutralized Pakistani drone and missile threats using the S-400 system, as seen during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Adampur air base on May 13, 2025. The RAS-72 incident further solidifies India’s narrative of strategic superiority, contrasting with Pakistan’s claims of resilience during the conflict.
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