Aviation Expert Asserts Greater Pakistani Air Losses During India's Operation Sindoor Than Officially Reported
Austrian military aviation expert Tom Cooper has supported assertions that Pakistan suffered more significant air losses during India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025 than officially reported. He described the operation as a landmark event in contemporary aerial warfare.
The statements follow Air Chief Marshal AP Singh’s confirmation on August 9 that the Indian Air Force downed six Pakistani aircraft in the four-day conflict. These included five fighter jets and a large surveillance aircraft, likely an AEW&C. Cooper suggests that more aircraft were destroyed, including those targeted on the ground.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, was a response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. It demonstrated India’s capacity to carry out deep strikes within Pakistani territory. Cooper highlighted a key moment in the operation when a Pakistani Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft was destroyed over Dinga with an S-400 missile from a distance exceeding 300 kilometers, marking the longest publicly acknowledged surface-to-air kill.
This incident showcased India’s advancing anti-access/area-denial capabilities, employing the Russian-made S-400 Triumf system’s 40N6E missile. The loss of the AEW&C dealt a severe blow to Pakistan’s aerial surveillance, leaving a critical operational gap.
Cooper’s analysis also refers to satellite imagery and intelligence that confirm significant damage to Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan, Mushaf, Bholari, and Shahbaz. Strikes reportedly destroyed aircraft within hangars, including additional AEW&C units and F-16 fighters undergoing maintenance.
The expert stated that Pakistan’s call for a ceasefire on May 10 was an acknowledgment of its growing losses and the threat of losing air superiority completely. He compared the credibility of these claims to the disputed 2019 Balakot incident, highlighting the comprehensive three-month verification process involving radar, satellite, and electronic intercept data.
Cooper emphasized the strategic consequences of India targeting nuclear weapon storage facilities at PAF Base Mushaf, interpreting it as a demonstration of confidence in neutralizing any potential Pakistani retaliation. The S-400 network, alongside systems like Akash missiles, reportedly intercepted most Pakistani counter-attacks.
Globally, the operation is perceived as a significant exhibition of India’s comprehensive air power, precision strike abilities, and advanced air defense. Cooper concluded that Operation Sindoor has fundamentally altered the regional power balance, establishing new standards in both tactical and strategic military effectiveness.
