Indian Air Force Chief Reveals Shootdown of Six Pakistani Aircraft in Operation Sindoor, Highlights Impact of S-400 System
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has officially disclosed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully shot down five fighter jets from the Pakistan Air Force along with an airborne early warning and control aircraft during Operation Sindoor. This announcement marks the initial public revelation regarding the extent of Pakistan's losses in this cross-border anti-terror mission.
During the Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture held in Bengaluru, Singh highlighted the destruction of the large AEW&C/ELINT aircraft, which was engaged from approximately 300 kilometers away. He described this as "the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill."
Singh commended India's air defense capabilities, particularly emphasizing the importance of the recently acquired Russian-made S-400 missile system. He stated, "The S-400 system has been a game-changer. It has kept their aircraft away from using long-range glide bombs, as they could not penetrate our defences."
The IAF chief further noted that India's deployment of long-range precision weapons was conducted with careful measures to avoid civilian casualties. He referenced imagery taken before and after an operation in Bahawalpur, where the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed were targeted, indicating that collateral damage was minimal and surrounding structures remained largely unaffected.
Operation Sindoor, carried out earlier this year, was focused on dismantling terrorist infrastructure across the border. Singh's statements not only confirmed the aerial losses suffered by Pakistan but also highlighted a significant shift in air combat dynamics in South Asia, with advanced air defense systems playing a crucial role in altering the strategic balance.
