Recently, two major European think tanks, the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), have highlighted the Indian Air Force's (IAF) strategic superiority over the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in their report. The analysis is based on Operation Sindoor, initiated on May 7, 2025, where the IAF executed precise strikes on 11 out of 13 major Pakistani airfields. These strikes, employing advanced missiles like BrahMos and SCALP, affirmed India’s modern warfare capabilities.
Indian Air Force Superiority: A European report confirms IAF's strategic advantage over PAF.
Operation Sindoor: Launched on May 7, 2025, with precise strikes on 11 Pakistani airfields.
BrahMos and SCALP Missiles: Utilized 15 missiles known for supersonic speed and accuracy.
Pakistan’s Vulnerability: Pakistani airfields are easy targets due to geographic limitations, while India’s depth provides a strategic edge.
Self-reliant India: Indigenous weapons and defense systems boosted India’s strength.
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What was Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor commenced on May 7, 2025, as a response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, resulting in 26 fatalities. The attack was linked to Pakistan-backed terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, prompting India’s decisive operation.
Source: aajtak
During this operation...
Phase One (May 7):
The IAF targeted nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad.
Phase Two (May 9-10):
Following drone and missile retaliations from Pakistan, the IAF struck 11 PAF airfields. Notable targets included radar stations at Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Rafique (Shorkot), Mureed (Chakwal), Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Bholari, Jacobabad, Sargodha, Skardu, Chunian, Pasrur, and Sialkot.
The attacks destroyed runways, command centers, and key assets, such as AEW&C aircraft and long-range drones, crippling PAF’s operational capabilities.
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Source: aajtak
India's Strategy and Weapons
Operation Sindoor showcased IAF’s advanced technology and strategic prowess...
BrahMos Missiles: India-Russia supersonic missiles launched from Su-30 MKI jets and from the ground, capable of hitting targets up to 290-600 km away at Mach 2.8-3.0 speed.
SCALP Missiles: French-made, launched from Rafales, able to destroy deep, fortified bunkers from 250-500 km away.
HAMMER and Crystal Maze: Precision-guided munitions effective against dynamic targets.
Harop Loitering Munitions: Israeli-built "kamikaze drones" used to dismantle enemy radars and air defenses.
Dummy Aircraft: Deployed to activate and expose Pakistani radar and HQ-9 air defense systems, followed by Harop drone and missile strikes.
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India’s Victorious Edge
According to the European think tank, several factors contributed to IAF’s victory...
Source: aajtak
Pakistan’s Geographic Weakness:
Key Pakistani airfields near the Indian border are vulnerable to BrahMos missiles’ range of 290-800 km. Significant sites like Nur Khan near Islamabad and Bholari near Karachi are within India's reach, while India's vast geographic depth challenges enemy targeting.
Advanced Weaponry:
BrahMos and SCALP missiles pierced through PAF’s defenses with speed and accuracy.
Indigenous Defense Systems:
Systems like Akash, Barak-8, and S-400 thwarted Pakistani drone and missile attacks. Akaashtir and Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) effectively tracked and destroyed aerial threats.
Strategic Maneuvers:
Deploying dummy aircraft and Harop drones neutralized Pakistani defenses, paving the way for missile strikes.
Read also: Final stages of STAR missile testing promise to shock PAK-China...!
The Impact of Operation Sindoor
PAF Losses: 11 airfields suffered severe damage to runways, hangars, and radars. An AEW&C plane and numerous drones were destroyed, weakening PAF’s surveillance and response capabilities.
Pakistan’s Dilemma: Post-attacks compelled PAF to relocate remaining aircraft to deeper bases and request a ceasefire through DGMO-level talks on May 10.
India's Defense: Despite 26 Indian sites facing drone and missile attacks from Pakistan, India's S-400 and Akash systems successfully intercepted them.
The report estimates if IAF employs 100 BrahMos or SCALP missiles, PAF operations could be paralyzed for at least two weeks due to obliterated runways and command centers.
Source: aajtak
Contribution of Self-reliant India
Operation Sindoor highlighted the strength of India's self-reliance campaign...
BrahMos:
Jointly created by India and Russia, proved its prowess in combat for the first time.
Su-30 MKI and Akash:
Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and DRDO, embody the success of indigenous technology.
Women Pilots' Role:
The participation of many female pilots highlighted inclusivity in the Indian armed forces.
