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Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
E-2 Hawkeye Replaces USAF E-3 Sentry, E-7 Cancelled In New Budget
A seismic shift has occurred in the Trump administration's new defense spending plan that is just emerging when it comes to the USAF's airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) predicament. The service's E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft are dwindling in number and rapidly aging into unsupportability. The proven and in-production E-7 Wedgetail, based on the Boeing 737 and serving with multiple allies, was supposed to bridge the gap between the E-3's retirement and pushing the sending part of the mission to space-based distributed satellite constellations. You can read all about this here. Now, if the administration gets its wish, that won't happen. The E-7 will be cancelled and the E-2D Hawkeye, currently flown by the U.S. Navy, will step in to fill the gap. This major turn of events came to light today as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force Gen. John Caine, and Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee. MacDonnell is Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense and is currently performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and the Pentagon's Chief Financial Officer. In 2023, the USAF announced its intention to purchase E-7s, potentially as many as 26 of them, as replacements for a portion of the E-3 fleet. At the hearing today, the question of the current future of the USAF AEW&C force came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski late in the hearing. Murkowski is a Republican from Alaska, where fighters, tankers, and E-3 Sentry jets launch regularly to intercept foreign planes, primarily Russian fighters, bombers, and surveillance aircraft, over the vast arctic wilderness. Chinese H-6 missile carrier aircraft also appeared off Alaska last year for the first time, as part of a joint mission with Russia. Chinese air and naval presence in the region is only expected to grow in the future. China and Russia conduct joint air strategic patrol over Bering Sea on July 25. This marks the eighth air strategic patrol organized by the two militaries since from China PLA Air Force Weibo accounthttps:// — Ryan Chan 陳家翹 (@ryankakiuchan) July 25, 2024 With this in mind, just how big of an issue the age of the E-3 fleet has become was central to Murkowski's question. 'I have been concerned. We have E-3 capability up north, of course, but we were all counting on the E-7 Wedgetail coming our way. We're kind of limping along up north right now, which is unfortunate. And the budget proposes terminating the program. Again, the E-3 fleet [is] barely operational now, and I understand the intent to shift towards the space-based – you call it the 'air moving target indicators' – but my concern is that you've got a situation where you're not going to be able to use more duct tape to hold things together until you put this system in place. And, so, how we maintain that level of operational readiness and coverage, I'm not sure how you make it.' 'You know, the E-3 and the E-3 community have been really important to us for a long, long time, and I'll defer to the Comptroller, but I you know the Department has a bridging strategy through investing in some additional airborne platforms in order to gap fill while the space-based capabilities come online,' Kane replied in response to the senator's question. This is where the E-2D comes in. MacDonnell then added, 'Ma'am, we do have in the budget $150 million in FY26 [Fiscal Year 2026] for a joint expeditionary E-2D unit with five dedicated E-2Ds, and the budget also funds for additional E-2Ds to fill the near-term gap at $1.4 billion.' Currently, the only branch of the U.S. military that operates the E-2D is the U.S. Navy. The Alaskan senator then inquired, 'Can you tell me, will that have implications for what we're seeing up north in Alaska?' 'The answer is yes. I would. I would file this entire discussion under difficult choices that we have to make. But you know, the E-7, in particular, is sort of late, more expensive and 'gold plated,' and so filling the gap, and then shifting to space-based ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] is a portion of how we think we can do it best, considering all the challenges,' Hegseth responded. At a separate hearing before the House Appropriations Committee yesterday, Hegsteth had also described the Wedgetail as an example of a capability that is 'not survivable in the modern battlefield' and mentioned broad plans 'to fund existing platforms that are there more robustly and make sure they're modernized.' An annual assessment of high-profile U.S. military procurement programs from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a Congressional watchdog, which was released today, offers additional insight into issues with the USAF's effort to acquire E-7s. The original plan was to acquire a pair of production representative prototype (or RP) aircraft ahead of production of examples in a finalized configuration, starting this year. The service had then expected to reach initial operational capability with the Wedgetail in 2027. 'Air Force officials said that they now plan to begin production by the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 before completing the E-7A RP MTA [Middle Tier Acquisition] rapid prototyping effort by initiating a separate, concurrent program on the major capability acquisition pathway,' according to GAO. 'They said that it was necessary to begin production concurrently with the E-7A RP rapid prototyping effort to offset the lead time associated with the build and subsequent modification of the aircraft.' 'The program definitized its contract with Boeing since our last assessment. After the contract was definitized, Boeing delayed the first flight test by 9 months to May 2027,' the report adds. 'According to Air Force officials, the delay was due to a late-breaking, required critical security architecture change that affected the procurement of parts, qualification testing, and modification of the airframe.' 'The program stated that the Air Force definitized the MTA rapid prototyping effort contract in August 2024 to deliver two operationally capable E-7A prototype aircraft in fiscal year 2028,' GAO's new assessment further notes. 'The program added that the total acquisition cost increase of 33 percent resulted from updated methodologies to include additional scope related to non-recurring engineering, with the primary drivers being software and air vehicle subsystems.' Last year, the Air Force had been very open about the difficulties it was having finalizing a contract with Boeing for the RP jets. The two parties ended up agreeing on a deal valued at nearly $2.6 billion. A contracting notice the service put out earlier this year also pointed to significant expected differences between the RP aircraft and the full production examples, including the possibility of a new radar. Existing versions of the E-7 in service elsewhere globally today are equipped with Northrop Grumman's Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar. The USAF's move to drop the E-7 and leverage the E-2D, which is already in the Pentagon's stable, prompts many questions. For instance, just how many of these aircraft will the USAF end up with? As of 2024, the USAF's E-3 fleet stood at 16 aircraft. Above all else, there are major capability trades here. The Hawkeye is a much smaller aircraft than both the Sentry and the Wedgetail. It is extremely capable, but it is also optimized to exist within the confines of carrier operations. The crew size is just five individuals. This limits the amount of shear manpower to perform highly complex operations and other tasks beyond traditional AEW&C. The E-2 also has less range and is far slower than both the E-3 and E-7. This means longer transit times, and the aircraft doesn't fit in as seamlessly with the jet-centric operations for the counter-air mission the service currently enjoys. The E-2D's AN/APY-9 radar from Lockheed Martin is hugely capable, but many of its other advanced data fusion and relay systems are unique to the Navy. These systems would either be stripped or just left unused for USAF-focused operations. It's also possible that other systems will replace them, but this will cost money and take time to integrate and field. Hawkeyes, being turboprop aircraft, also operate at lower altitudes, giving their radar, radio systems, and electronic surveillance suites reduced line-of-sight, limiting their range and fidelity at distance for some targets and surveillance application, in some cases. Then there is the aerial refueling issue. The E-2D has gained this ability relatively recently, which expands its endurance. Typical missions can now last over seven hours. However, the aircraft uses the Navy-preferred probe-and-drogue refueling method, not the boom and receptacle one favored by the USAF. The USAF's KC-46 tankers do have a hose and drogue system and some of the service's KC-135Rs have podded hose and drogue systems. Otherwise, they require a basket attachment to their boom, often called the 'Iron Maiden' or 'Wrecking Ball,' due to its rigid metal frame and potential to smack into and damage airframes. This system makes the KC-135R useless for refueling receptacle-equipped aircraft when it is fitted. The E-2D also refuels lower-and-slower than jet aircraft. All these issues are not 'show-stoppers,' but they are ones that will impact operational planning and flexibility. The E-2D, being already a highly upgraded and a much smaller airframe, also lacks the same capacity for future expansion compared to the E-7. This could include adding more personnel for various non-traditional functions, including using its advanced radar to scan the surface more extensively or for unique battle management needs, such as controlling future drone swarms, or even for more extensive passive intelligence collection and exploitation and data fusion operations. High-bandwidth datalinks can possibly make up for some of the manpower differentials, allowing folks on the ground to execute critical functions in near real time as part of a distributed crew arrangement, but there are downfalls to this concept, as well. On the other hand, having commonality with the Navy's AEW&C aircraft should help reduce costs for both services and accelerate the type's entry into USAF service. It could also benefit the future evolution of the E-2D as more money will be flowing into the program. It's also a very capable and well-proven platform, lowering risk. Above all else, joint service E-2Ds could be absolutely critical to the USAF's Agile Combat Employment (ACE) combat doctrine that will see its forces distributed to remote forward locales and constantly in motion. The E-2D's turboprop performance, robust landing gear, and arrested landing capabilities mean it can be pushed far forward to very austere operating locations with limited runway length. And it can do this without sacrificing the quality of the data it collects or the efficacy of its use as a battle manager. This is something a 707 or 737 platform simply cannot match and could prove decisive in a major peer-state contingency. TWZ highlighted these exact benefits after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released a video last year showing a Navy Hawkeye refueling from a USAF HC-130J Combat King II combat search and rescue aircraft, which can act as a probe-and-drogue tanker, primarily for helicopters and Osprey tiltrotors. A @USNavy E-2D refuels inflight from an @usairforce HC-130 over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 6, 2024 While the USAF's move away from the E-7 is certainly surprising, and it will result in shortfalls in some areas, it also unlocks new capabilities, some of which are arguably more applicable to tomorrow's wars. It also buys down additional risk, which is looming very large as it isn't clear at this time, at least publicly, how far along the Pentagon's persistent space-based aircraft sensing constellation development actually is. All of this still has to make it through congressional approval, which could be a challenge considering the special interests involved. But as it sits now, the flying service is pivoting big once again when it comes to its increasingly dire AEW&C needs. Contact the author: Tyler@
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
IAF to acquire more teeth through AWACS and mid-air refuellers
The ministry of defence is set to take up a proposal for acquisition of six more Embraer aircraft from Brazil for conversion to Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) using DRDO developed Netra Mark 1A mounted AESA radars in a move aimed at plugging key capability gaps and building conventional deterrence, people familiar with the matter said. The proposal will be brought before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shortly, they added, asking not to be named. In addition, while the government has approved wet lease of one KC-135 mid-air refueller from US-based Metrea military contractor, it has also pressed the pedal on the acquisition of six more mid-air refuellers on the basis of an RFP floated by the acquisition wing of the Defence Ministry. India at present has six Russian refuellers. The urgent need for AEW&C aircraft was felt because the Pakistan air force has eight SAAB-2000 aircraft fitted with the Erieye radar system plus four Chinese ZDK-03 aircraft used for electronic warfare and electronic support measures. PAF also has three Dassault Falcon DA-20 aircraft, which are being used for electronic warfare. After Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has seven SAAB-2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft, as one was shot down by the Indian S-400 air defence system from a distance of 314 kilometres during the four-day high-intensity skirmish. The AEW & C aircraft is used to look into enemy territory from a distance of as much as 350 km away to identify incoming enemy aerial platforms as well as artillery firing from across the border. Pakistan also has four Russian refuellers of the same IL-78 M variety as India. After the military chiefs and national security planners met to discuss learnings from Operation Sindoor on June 7, 2025, a consensus has emerged that India needs to build better and more lethal capabilities, as Pakistan will acquire more capabilities from China . China is providing Yuan-class diesel submarines, frigates and armed drones to Pakistan, while Turkey is building corvettes, upgrading Augusta 90B submarines and providing spare parts for F-16 aircraft for the Islamic nation. In this context, the Indian military is also getting the weapons recovered from the skirmish, namely Chinese made PL-15 air to air missile, Fatah rockets and Turkish built YIHA drone reviewed by top Indian technology experts. India is now the only country that has war data on Chinese weapon systems like J-10, JF-17 fighters, HQ-9 air defence systems, SH-15 howitzers as well as performance of its own Rafale fighters in live conditions. India's post-Sindoor Indian assessment , HT learns, does not rule out a mass casualty attack from Pakistan-based jihadist groups in the future, with the Pakistan military better prepared next time to meet the expected Indian response to terror. Between the launch of the operation in the early hours of May 7 and the ceasefire on the evening of May 10, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK and killed at least 100 terrorists. The Indian Air Force also struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. On Tuesday, it emerged that India's targeting of locations within Pakistan during the May 7–10 clash was more extensive than previously known, with a Pakistani document acknowledging that Indian drones had struck locations ranging from Peshawar in the northwest to Hyderabad in the south. Pakistan's Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, which was mounted in response to Operation Sindoor, 'folded in eight hours' on May 10, belying Islamabad's ambitious target of bringing India to its knees in 48 hours, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said on Tuesday. Operation Sindoor was India's military response to the terror strikes at Pahalgam that killed 26 people.
News18
07-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Operation Sindoor And The Collapse Of Pakistani Air Power
Last Updated: The destruction of Pakistan's AEW&C fleet, frontline jets, and ISR drones within 88 hours, without IAF losses, marked a new benchmark for regional power assertion In the wake of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 Indians dead, India responded with a calculated and overwhelming military retaliation: Operation Sindoor. Launched on May 7, this four-day campaign crippled Pakistan's aerial capabilities, decimated key command centres, and sent a clear signal to both adversaries and observers—the Indian Air Force is no longer reactive; it is doctrinally offensive and technologically precise. The Pahalgam attack was not just another act of cross-border terrorism; it was a blatant provocation aimed at destabilising the region. Recognising the gravity of the situation, the Indian defence establishment, under the leadership of Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, initiated Operation Sindoor. The objective was clear: dismantle the terror infrastructure and deliver a crippling blow to Pakistan's military capabilities. The initial phase of the operation witnessed a tactical recalibration. Facing unexpected resistance, the IAF swiftly adapted its strategy, emphasising electronic warfare and precision targeting. This adaptability was evident as the IAF jammed Pakistan's Chinese-supplied air defense systems within 23 minutes, paving the way for unhindered aerial assaults. Decimation of Pakistani Air Assets 1. Fighter Jets Shot Down Six Pakistani fighter jets were destroyed: three JF-17 Thunders, two Mirage III/V variants, and one F-16 Block 52. These were eliminated via BVR missile engagements and stand-off munitions strikes near Jacobabad, Rahim Yar Khan, and Sargodha. This loss devastated Pakistan's QRA network. Two airborne surveillance aircraft—Saab 2000 Erieye and ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle—were destroyed. The former was downed from 314 km using India's S-400 system, while the latter was destroyed in a strike on Bholari Airbase. These kills blinded the PAF during the operation's peak. 3. C-130 Hercules and Special Forces Hit A C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, with elite personnel on board, was destroyed at Nur Khan Airbase via a BrahMos NG missile strike. The kill disrupted logistics and morale. 4. Drones and UCAVs Neutralized Over 15 Pakistani UCAVs, including Chinese Wing Loong drones, were destroyed in airspace interceptions and base attacks. India's Akashteer and SAMAR systems achieved 100 per cent success rate during the campaign. Precision Strikes on Pakistan's Strategic Airbases 1. Nur Khan Airbase (Chaklala) This airbase, located near Rawalpindi and used frequently for both strategic airlift and VIP movement, is one of Pakistan's most high-profile installations. It houses C-130 Hercules aircraft, the PAF's Special Services Wing (SSW), and at times, acts as a backup command center for Air Headquarters. The IAF targeted Nur Khan with a mix of loitering munitions and BrahMos NG missiles. One C-130 Hercules was destroyed during active loading operations. The aircraft was reportedly preparing for a special forces' deployment. The strike also resulted in the death of 12 personnel, including elite aircrew and logistics officers. Adjacent hangars were engulfed in flames, with satellite images revealing significant structural damage and debris fields. Strategic Impact: Loss of a heavy-lift transport aircraft during operational tempo drastically reduced Pakistan's ability to reposition personnel and emergency supplies. The symbolic value of striking Nur Khan—so close to Islamabad—was immense. 2. Bholari Airbase Located in Sindh, Bholari is relatively new but highly strategic. It houses AEW&C aircraft, such as the ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle, and supports eastern sector radar coverage. India's strikes on Bholari were surgical. A ZDK-03 AEW&C aircraft was destroyed in its hardened shelter. Loitering drones confirmed the aircraft's static status before destruction. A secondary blast caused the loss of a control container, believed to be the mobile command module for air surveillance. Strategic Impact: The destruction of an AWACS platform here meant Pakistan was flying blind in its southern and eastern air sectors for at least 72 hours. The psychological impact on sortie planning and interdiction response was severe. 3. Sargodha Airbase This base is the headquarters of PAF's Central Air Command and houses one of its primary F-16 squadrons. Indian missiles—likely Sudarshan-armed BrahMos variants—struck multiple hardened aircraft shelters. One F-16 was destroyed, and several others were damaged as hangars collapsed. The base's main runway was cratered, grounding air operations for nearly 48 hours. Communications from the base went offline temporarily, suggesting damage to underground fiberoptic nodes or satellite uplinks. Strategic Impact: Disabling the hub of PAF's air superiority capability mid-conflict represented a tactical masterstroke. It delayed all command-level decisions and turned the Sargodha-led air defence network into an observer, not a responder. 4. Jacobabad Airbase Used primarily for drone operations and hosting ground-attack aircraft, Jacobabad is a second-tier base that evolved into a critical UCAV hub. India employed swarm drones with AI-assisted target recognition. Destruction of at least 4 Shahpar-II drones and 2 ground control stations was confirmed. A mobile jamming vehicle was destroyed, which had been employed to counter Indian ISR drones. Strategic Impact: The loss of ground control and tactical ISR support disrupted Pakistan's ability to surveil Indian strike formations. It also nullified any plan for drone counterattacks or offensive launches from this region. 5. Sukkur Airbase Sukkur is not a front-line airbase but plays a pivotal logistical role, particularly in aircraft refueling, repair, and emergency landings. India's guided bomb attacks focused on aviation fuel farms and mechanical support infrastructure. Runways were not cratered—suggesting India wanted to retain it as a post-conflict emergency strip—but repair sheds and fuel trucks were wiped out. Strategic Impact: The intent was clear—deny Pakistan long-range operational sustainability by cutting off supply and recovery chains. Sukkur's loss pushed refueling cycles to Multan and Rahim Yar Khan, increasing turnaround times. 6. Rahim Yar Khan Airbase An older but still functional base, Rahim Yar Khan stored Mirage III/V aircraft and was suspected to be housing precision munitions. SPICE 2000 bombs were used to destroy two Mirage aircraft in shelters. An ammunition truck nearby exploded, creating a domino effect that damaged additional support infrastructure. The base was rendered non-functional for 48–60 hours due to runway damage and fires. Strategic Impact: This strike served dual purposes: eliminating a legacy strike asset (the Mirages) and targeting stored high-value munitions to prevent reprisal attacks. 7. Shahbaz Airbase Although not a major strategic target, Shahbaz was hit in a diversionary attack. Decoy drones and long-range artillery pinned down local SAM systems and distracted early warning systems from the real action happening across the other bases. Radar exposure patterns revealed Pakistani AD radars went into full-track mode here for almost 14 minutes. This diversion allowed the IAF to conduct cleaner, unchallenged strikes on Bholari and Sargodha. Strategic Impact: This was a classical suppression tactic—confuse, decoy, and overwhelm. Shahbaz's use as a bait zone amplified the success rates of other concurrent missions. A Doctrinal Shift India's airbase-focused strikes during Operation Sindoor weren't random retaliatory actions—they were high-order military planning in motion. Each base was selected based on: Operational role in Pakistan's air defense structure Proximity to command centers Potential to host high-value assets The timing of the strikes—across 10 bases in just over 22 minutes—was designed to paralyse PAF's capacity to assess, react, and recover. Three of these airbases—Nur Khan, Bholari, and Sargodha—held disproportionate value to Pakistan's combat air doctrine. Their temporary neutralisation essentially collapsed centralised coordination. What Operation Sindoor achieved in four days is what conventional airpower theory dreams of but rarely executes: pre-emptive degradation, strategic disorientation, and surgical decapitation—without crossing international lines of escalation. Neutralising Command and Control Centers Beyond the physical destruction of aircraft and airbases, Operation Sindoor strategically targeted Pakistan's command and control infrastructure. Precision strikes were carried out on key communication nodes and radar installations, effectively blinding the PAF and disrupting their operational coordination. This systematic dismantling of command structures ensured that Pakistani forces were unable to mount an effective response, further amplifying the impact of the operation. India's Ballistic Missile Defence: A Shield Against Retaliation Anticipating potential retaliatory strikes, India activated its multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system to safeguard its territory. The S-400 Triumf, known in India as the Sudarshan Chakra, played a pivotal role in this defense strategy. This advanced system, capable of detecting targets up to 600 km away and engaging them at ranges up to 400 km, successfully intercepted several incoming threats, including drones and missiles launched by Pakistan. Complementing the S-400, India's indigenous Akashteer system, an automated air defense control and reporting system, effectively neutralized low-altitude threats. During Operation Sindoor, the Akashteer system demonstrated a 100% kill rate against Pakistani drones, showcasing its efficacy in modern warfare scenarios. Additionally, the SAMAR air defence system was instrumental in intercepting low-altitude threats, preventing damage to military and civilian infrastructure. International Reactions and Trump's Comments In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, international reactions were swift. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern over the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, stating, 'It's a shame. We just heard about it as we were walking in the doors of the Oval. Just heard about it. It's a shame. Hope it ends very quickly." Trump further offered to mediate between the two nations, saying, 'Good relationships with both and I want to see it stop. And if I can do anything to help, I will be there." However, India firmly rejected any third-party mediation, emphasising that the ceasefire was a result of Pakistan's DGMO appeal on his knees and not due to international pressure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that any future provocations from Pakistan would be met with powerful retaliation, underscoring India's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty. Psychological and Operational Impact The rapid and decisive nature of Operation Sindoor had a demoralising effect on the Pakistani military establishment. Within 88 hours, the scale of destruction compelled Pakistan to seek a ceasefire, highlighting the operation's efficacy in achieving its strategic objectives. International Air Doctrine Comparison Operation Sindoor represents a shift in India's strategic posture—toward preemptive deterrence and precision warfare. In contrast, NATO doctrines emphasise layered suppression and network-centric warfare. Israel's doctrine of preemption (e.g., Operation Outside the Box) mirrors Sindoor's surprise precision strikes. China follows a doctrine of strategic depth and airspace denial, while the U.S. focuses on full-spectrum dominance leveraging stealth, satellite ISR, and multi-domain fusion. India's Sudarshan-led approach (S-400, Akashteer, and indigenous UAVs) now places it closer to the most sophisticated doctrines globally. Conclusion top videos View all The aerial attrition inflicted during Operation Sindoor wasn't merely a tactical victory—it was a doctrinal pivot. The destruction of Pakistan's AEW&C fleet, frontline jets, and ISR drones within 88 hours, without IAF losses, marked a new benchmark for regional power assertion. For Pakistan, the damage was deep; for India, the message was clear: preparedness has evolved into preeminence. The writer is a retired officer of the IRS and the former director-general of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. About the Author Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod VSM (Retd) Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod VSM (retd) tweets at @mjavinod tags : Operation Sindoor Pahalgam attack pakistan Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 07, 2025, 13:23 IST News opinion Opinion | Operation Sindoor And The Collapse Of Pakistani Air Power
Hans India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
9 Pak aircraft were destroyed in Op Sindoor: Sources
New Delhi: Six Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets, two high-value surveillance aircraft, over ten armed drones, and a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft were destroyed in Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory military action following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. According to sources, a post-conflict assessment of the military engagement in early May has revealed heavy damage to Pakistani aerial and ground military assets. The six PAF fighter jets were downed during aerial operations. These aircraft were engaged and destroyed in air-to-air combat as part of the retaliatory response by Indian air defence units. The engagements occurred within Pakistani Punjab and parts of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The downing of these jets, according to sources, was confirmed via radar tracking and thermal signatures captured by Indian ground-based missile systems and airborne early warning assets. The Pakistani aircraft vanished from tracking grids after impact confirmations, the sources said. One of the key hits during the four-day engagement was the destruction of a high-value airborne surveillance platform. According to sources, the target was either an electronic countermeasure (ECM) platform or an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, neutralised at an estimated range of 300 kilometres using India's long-range strike asset, the Sudarshan. Another AEW&C aircraft of Swedish origin, reportedly stationed at Pakistan's Bholari airbase, was destroyed during a subsequent air-to-surface cruise missile strike. Satellite imagery showed the complete destruction of the hangar housing the aircraft. In a separate operation, a PAF C-130 Hercules was destroyed during a targeted drone strike over Pakistani Punjab. The C-130 was being used for logistical support and was parked at a forward operating base near Multan when the drone strike occurred, sources said. The IAF also undertook precision strikes against unmanned systems. During an operation involving Rafale and Su-30 jets, a hangar housing multiple Chinese-origin Wing Loong series medium-altitude, long-endurance drones was destroyed. According to sources, over ten UCAVs were destroyed in this single strike. Additionally, Indian air defence units intercepted and downed several Pakistani UCAVs over Indian airspace during the conflict, particularly over sectors in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan.
NDTV
04-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
9 Pakistani Aircraft Were Destroyed In Operation Sindoor Strikes: Sources
New Delhi: Six Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets, two high-value surveillance aircraft, over ten armed drones, and a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft were destroyed in Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory military action following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. According to sources, a post-conflict assessment of the military engagement in early May has revealed heavy damage to Pakistani aerial and ground military assets. The six PAF fighter jets were downed during aerial operations. These aircraft were engaged and destroyed in air-to-air combat as part of the retaliatory response by Indian air defence units. The engagements occurred within Pakistani Punjab and parts of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The downing of these jets, according to sources, was confirmed via radar tracking and thermal signatures captured by Indian ground-based missile systems and airborne early warning assets. The Pakistani aircraft vanished from tracking grids after impact confirmations, sources said. NDTV first reported it on Monday, which can be watched here: Here's a breakdown of the Pakistani assets destroyed in Operation Sindoor: Two High-Value Surveillance Aircraft Neutralised One of the key hits during the four-day engagement was the destruction of a high-value airborne surveillance platform. According to sources, the target was either an electronic countermeasure (ECM) platform or an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, neutralised at an estimated range of 300 kilometres using India's long-range strike asset, the Sudarshan. Another AEW&C aircraft of Swedish origin, reportedly stationed at Pakistan's Bholari airbase, was destroyed during a subsequent air-to-surface cruise missile strike. Satellite imagery showed the complete destruction of the hangar housing the aircraft. C-130 Hercules Destroyed In a separate operation, a PAF C-130 Hercules was destroyed during a targeted drone strike over Pakistani Punjab. The C-130 was being used for logistical support and was parked at a forward operating base near Multan when the drone strike occurred, sources said. The IAF also undertook precision strikes against unmanned systems. During an operation involving Rafale and Su-30 jets, a hangar housing multiple Chinese-origin Wing Loong series medium-altitude, long-endurance drones was destroyed. According to sources, over ten UCAVs were destroyed in this single strike. Additionally, Indian air defence units intercepted and downed several Pakistani UCAVs over Indian airspace during the conflict, particularly over sectors in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan. India's Strike Depth A previously undisclosed Pakistani military dossier on Operation Bunyan un Marsoos, Islamabad's codename for its military operation, has surfaced, revealing that India struck at least seven more targets than acknowledged in official Indian statements. According to maps and data in the dossier, Indian airstrikes targeted facilities in Peshawar, Jhang, Hyderabad (Sindh), Gujrat (Punjab), Bahawalnagar, Attock, and Chor. The additional strike locations, all of which host key Pakistani military or dual-use infrastructure, confirm that Indian air operations reached far deeper into Pakistani territory than previously known. India's military response began on the night of May 6-7 with coordinated strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistani Punjab and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Nine key targets were identified, including the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur, Lashkar-e-Taiba's camp in Muridke, and facilities in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Rawalakot, Bhimber, and Chakwal. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies confirmed substantial damage to several of these locations, particularly the training camps in PoJK. Indian officials maintain that the initial strikes were confined to anti-terror operations and did not target Pakistani military establishments until Pakistan initiated cross-border drone and missile strikes on Indian civilian and military locations on May 8. Following India's initial strikes, Pakistan launched drones and ballistic projectiles toward India's western frontier. Civilian targets in Rajasthan and military installations in Jammu and Gujarat were among those hit. In response, India widened its offensive to include 11 Pakistani air bases: Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, Sialkot, Pasrur, Chunian, Sargodha, Skardu, Bholari, and Jacobabad. Ceasefire and Aftermath On the afternoon of May 10, following intense diplomatic pressure and battlefield setbacks, Pakistan's DGMO, Major General Kashif Abdullah, contacted his Indian counterpart, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, requesting an immediate ceasefire. Subsequently, India agreed to halt military operations but reiterated that retaliatory action would resume if provoked.
