SOURCE: AFI
In a bizarre and eyebrow-raising twist, Pakistani media outlet 24 News HD anchor Mian Tahir has claimed to have obtained a secret report submitted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The alleged document, prepared by the Empowered Committee for Capability Enhancement of the IAF—chaired by the Defence Secretary and comprising high-ranking officials like the Vice Chief of Air Staff, Secretary (Defence Production), Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D, Chairman DRDO, DG Acquisition, and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff as Member Secretary—has not been made public in India. Yet, Tahir boldly asserted that this classified report exposes critical vulnerabilities in the IAF, including an alleged admission of its inability to counter Pakistan due to a depleted aircraft inventory.
According to Tahir’s sensational broadcast, the report purportedly states that the IAF’s combat strength is severely hamstrung, with only 224 fighter jets currently operational—a figure far below the sanctioned 42 squadrons (approximately 756-840 aircraft) needed to tackle dual threats from Pakistan and China. The anchor further claimed that the report highlights significant issues with the indigenous Tejas Mk1A program, pointing to fuselage defects and delays in the delivery of General Electric F-404 engines, which power the light combat aircraft. Adding a dramatic flourish, Tahir also labeled the U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighter a “flying coffin,” citing a supposed spate of accidents, despite no evidence linking the F-35 to the IAF’s plans or this alleged report.
Tahir’s swipe at the F-35 adds further absurdity. The IAF has not inducted the F-35, though discussions about acquiring 5th-generation stealth fighters surfaced in February 2025 when U.S. President Donald Trump offered it alongside Russia’s Su-57. The “flying coffin” moniker, historically tied to the IAF’s accident-prone MiG-21s, possibly conflating U.S. crash reports (e.g., 14 F-35 incidents since 2006) with India’s context.
Pakistani media’s history of amplifying narratives to undermine India’s military credibility isn’t new, and this episode fits that pattern. The PAF, with around 450 jets including JF-17s and F-16s, faces its own modernization struggles, recently eyeing China’s J-35 and Türkiye’s Kaan jets to counter India’s AMCA program. Tahir’s claims could be a morale booster for domestic audiences or a jab at India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat push, but without evidence—like leaked pages or credible sources—they remain speculative at best.
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