In a powerful demonstration of air superiority, the Indian Air Force (IAF) inflicted heavy losses on Pakistan’s military infrastructure during Operation Sindoor, which concluded with a ceasefire on May 10, 2025. According to official sources, the IAF destroyed six Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets in aerial combat, along with a C-130 transport aircraft, multiple unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), and critical surveillance aircraft.
The IAF relied entirely on air-launched cruise missiles for precision strikes against high-value Pakistani targets. Surface-to-surface BrahMos missiles were notably not used in the campaign. The offensive was marked by deep penetration and long-range attacks, including a 300 km strike using the Sudarshan missile system, which successfully targeted an airborne electronic warfare or early warning aircraft.
One of the most significant blows came at the Bholari airbase, where cruise missile attacks destroyed a Swedish-origin AEWC aircraft. Additional strikes by Rafale and Su-30 fighter jets targeted hangars housing Chinese Wing Loong drones, resulting in the destruction of a large number of medium-altitude, long-endurance UCAVs.
More than 10 UCAVs were downed by Indian air defence systems across Pakistani airspace during the four-day conflict. The IAF also successfully intercepted multiple Pakistani cruise and ballistic missiles aimed at Indian airbases, neutralizing them before impact.
The Pakistan Air Force reportedly suffered further losses on the ground, although these have not been fully assessed due to Pakistan’s reluctance to reveal or clear the debris from damaged sites. Indian radar and air defence tracking systems observed multiple Pakistani jets disappearing mid-flight after successful hits.
Sources involved in the operations stated that the IAF is still analyzing the vast trove of technical and radar data collected during the operation to assess the complete damage inflicted on Pakistan’s military assets.
The conflict ended with Pakistan’s request for a ceasefire, following what Indian military officials have described as “heavy losses” suffered due to the scale, precision, and coordination of Indian air operations.
