Indian Defence Attaché Admits Political Constraints Led to Fighter Jet Losses Against Pakistan
In a rare disclosure, India's Defence Attaché to Indonesia, Captain Shiv Kumar, has revealed that political constraints led to the Indian Air Force (IAF) losing fighter jets to Pakistan during the May 2025 air conflict. At a seminar on 'Analysis of the Pakistan–India Air Battle and Indonesia’s Anticipatory Strategies from the Perspective of Air Power' held at Universitas Dirgantara Marsekal Suryadarma on June 10, Kumar explained that Indian fighter jets were restricted from targeting Pakistani military assets or air defense systems.
During his 35-minute presentation, Kumar responded to an Indonesian panelist's remarks, acknowledging some aircraft losses while refuting the exact number claimed. The seminar took place amid regional scrutiny following Operation Sindoor, where India targeted Pakistan-based terror infrastructure following a deadly attack in Kashmir.
Kumar elaborated that the restrictions were intended to prevent escalation in a nuclear-armed context, citing political leadership directives not to attack military establishments or air defenses in the conflict's initial phase. This constraint aimed to prevent Pakistani military retaliation by avoiding strikes on military infrastructure.
Pakistani authorities claimed they shot down six Indian jets, including Rafale aircraft, while India confirmed some losses without revealing details. The political assumption that Pakistan would refrain from military retaliation if their infrastructure was untouched turned out to be mistaken.
Kumar noted that Pakistan did not adhere to similar constraints and adjusted its operations after Indian airstrikes on terrorist camps. Following the losses, India shifted tactics and targeted military installations, using BrahMos missiles and long-range munitions to hit Pakistani air bases and infrastructure from safe distances in the May 10 offensive.
General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, speaking in Singapore, echoed these insights, emphasizing the underlying causes of aircraft losses rather than the losses themselves. "What is important is not the jet being down, but why they were being down," he told Bloomberg.
Captain Kumar’s remarks illuminate the challenges of military operations under political constraints, particularly in a nuclear context. They also underscore the Indian military's rapid tactical adjustments, which enabled the IAF to seize air superiority in later stages of Operation Sindoor by neutralizing key adversary positions while managing risks.
