SOURCE: AFI
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) recently claimed to have shot down at least five Indian fighter jets during the intense aerial engagements that unfolded as part of Operation Sindoor in early May 2025. However, emerging reports suggest a stark contrast to the triumphant narrative, revealing a lack of clarity within the PAF itself regarding how and by whom these alleged kills were achieved. The operation, marked by heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, saw both sides deploy advanced fighter jets and missile systems in a series of tit-for-tat strikes.
According to sources cited by the Indian defense news outlet idrw.org, many PAF pilots flying the Chinese-origin J-10CE and JF-17 aircraft did not provide terminal guidance to the PL-15E beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles they launched. Instead, they relied heavily on the missile’s seeker to independently connect with Indian jets at the last moment—a tactic described as more hope than strategy. This lack of active guidance raises significant doubts about the PAF’s claims, as effective BVR engagements typically require continuous data-link support to ensure accuracy against maneuvering targets.
Further complicating the narrative, the PAF has reportedly been unable to confirm which of its aircraft were responsible for the alleged shootdowns. Despite the uncertainty, some Pakistani politicians quickly attributed the downing of an Indian Rafale to the J-10CE, a claim that was eagerly amplified by Chinese media. The Chinese coverage, which included viral nationalist content mocking India, portrayed the alleged kills as a triumph of Chinese weaponry, particularly the PL-15E missile and J-10CE fighter. However, idrw.org reports that none of the PL-15E missiles actually struck any Indian jets, directly contradicting the PAF’s claims and the subsequent Chinese media narrative.
The Indian Air Force (IAF), for its part, has denied the loss of five jets, though Air Marshal A.K. Bharti acknowledged on May 11, 2025, that “losses are a part of combat” while emphasizing that all IAF pilots returned home safely. Independent reports have been inconclusive, with some Western sources, including a U.S. military official cited by Reuters on May 8neuters, suggesting at least one or two Indian jets may have been downed, while others, like a French intelligence official speaking to CNN, confirmed the loss of at least one Rafale. On the other hand, the IAF claimed to have shot down several PAF jets, including an F-16 and two JF-17s, during the operation—a claim Pakistan has not confirmed.
Adding another layer of complexity, the PAF’s use of American-supplied F-16s was reportedly limited during this conflict due to pressure from the United States, stemming from a 2019 incident where Pakistan’s use of F-16s against India violated end-user agreements. This restriction likely forced the PAF to rely more heavily on its Chinese-origin platforms, the J-10CE and JF-17, which may have contributed to the operational challenges highlighted by the lack of missile guidance.
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