SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant blow to Pakistan’s unmanned aerial capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) destroyed a hangar housing multiple Chinese-made Wing Loong II Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base Sukkur in Sindh province during Operation Sindoor on May 7–10, 2025. Satellite imagery, corroborated by posts on X and reports from outlets like NDTV and India Today, confirms the complete collapse of the 54-meter hangar, a critical facility recently established with Chinese assistance. The strike, executed with precision using Rampage air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBMs) from IAF Jaguar Darin-II aircraft, has dealt a severe setback to Pakistan’s drone warfare capabilities, with at least one Wing Loong II confirmed lost.
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians and was attributed to Pakistan-backed terrorist groups. The IAF targeted 11 PAF air bases, including Sukkur (also known as Bholari), to degrade Pakistan’s air and drone capabilities. Sukkur, a modern base inaugurated in 2017 under Pakistan’s Southern Air Command, is strategically located in Jamshoro district, Sindh, northeast of Karachi. It hosts advanced assets like F-16 Block-15 A/B and JF-17 Block-2 fighter jets, as well as SAAB 2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. Crucially, it serves as a hub for Pakistan’s growing fleet of UCAVs, including the Wing Loong II.
The IAF strike on Sukkur targeted a newly constructed hangar, measuring 54 meters in length, designed to house high-end drones. High-resolution satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies, accessed by NDTV and ABP Live, reveals the hangar’s roof completely caved in, with debris and burn marks indicating a direct hit. A pre-strike image from April 27, 2025, shows the structure intact, underscoring the strike’s devastating impact. The Rampage ALBM, a long-range, precision-guided missile developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Israel Military Industries (IMI), was launched from a stand-off range exceeding 250 kilometers, ensuring the Jaguar aircraft remained outside Pakistan’s air defense envelope.
The 54-meter hangar’s size aligns with the requirements for housing multiple Wing Loong II drones, which measure approximately 11 meters in length. Satellite imagery confirms the structure’s total collapse, likely neutralizing all UCAVs inside. While exact numbers remain unconfirmed, the loss of at least one Wing Loong II represents a significant operational and financial setback for Pakistan, given the drone’s estimated cost of $2–4 million per unit. The facility’s recent establishment with Chinese technical support further amplifies the strategic impact, as it was intended to enhance Pakistan’s offensive drone operations against India’s strike corps.
Sukkur Air Base, also referred to as PAF Base Bholari, is a critical node in Pakistan’s southern air defense strategy. Located west of India’s Rajasthan border, it supports rapid deployment of fighter jets and drones, enhancing Pakistan’s aerial surveillance and strike capabilities. The base’s 9,000-foot runway and modern infrastructure, including the now-destroyed hangar, made it a hub for advanced UAV operations. Its destruction disrupts Pakistan’s ability to project air power in the southern sector, particularly against India’s Western Command.
The Wing Loong II’s presence at Sukkur had raised concerns among Indian defense planners, who monitored the base closely after its integration into Pakistan’s joint China-Pakistan drone program. The UCAV’s long-range strike capabilities posed a direct threat to Indian military assets, making the hangar a high-priority target. The IAF’s successful strike, as noted by Air Marshal AK Bharti during a May 11 press briefing, was “measured and calibrated” to minimize collateral damage while maximizing strategic impact.
The confirmed loss of the Wing Loong II and the collapse of the Sukkur hangar underscore India’s growing stand-off strike capabilities and its resolve to counter Pakistan’s drone warfare strategy. The strike has crippled Pakistan’s ability to conduct offensive UAV operations in the southern sector, with Organiser estimating that Operation Sindoor paralyzed 60% of Pakistan’s air defense capabilities. The ceasefire agreement on May 10, 2025, halted hostilities, but the loss of critical assets like the Wing Loong II will likely constrain Pakistan’s aerial operations in the near term.
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