Key Points
- Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has categorically denied Pakistan’s claim of shooting down six Indian Air Force jets during the May 2025 conflict.
- General Chauhan admitted India suffered some air losses on the first day of Operation Sindoor but did not specify numbers.
- India responded by revising tactics and launching precision strikes deep inside Pakistan, successfully breaching its air defenses.
- The Indian military emphasized learning from early mistakes and highlighted the failure of Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defense systems.
- The conflict never approached nuclear escalation, with India maintaining readiness for any future threats.
Singapore/Bloomberg TV: Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has firmly dismissed Pakistan’s claim that it shot down six Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets during the recent Indo-Pak conflict, calling the assertion “absolutely incorrect” in multiple high-profile interviews during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. While confirming that India did lose an unspecified number of jets on the first day of hostilities, General Chauhan stressed that the focus should be on operational lessons, not the number of aircraft lost.
Pakistan’s Claims “Absolutely Incorrect,” Says General Chauhan
Responding to questions about Pakistan’s assertion of downing six Indian jets including several advanced Rafale fighters General Chauhan was unequivocal: “Absolutely incorrect. That is not the information which I said is important. What is important is why they were down. That is more important for us. And what did we do after that. That is more important”. He declined to provide exact figures but made clear that Pakistan’s numbers were exaggerated.
India’s Tactical Response: Learning and Retaliation
General Chauhan explained that India’s initial air losses on May 7 were quickly analyzed, and the IAF adapted its strategy. “The good part is that we are able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets again, targeting at long range,” he said. India then launched a series of retaliatory strikes on May 7, 8, and 10, penetrating up to 300 kilometers inside Pakistani territory and targeting key airbases.
Pakistan’s Air Defense Exposed
Chauhan also cast doubt on the effectiveness of Pakistan’s air defense systems, many of which are supplied by China. He noted that Indian jets were able to strike deep inside Pakistani territory with “impunity,” suggesting that Pakistan’s air defenses failed to stop the precision attacks. Indian operations, described as “non-contact” and “multi-domain,” leveraged cyber tools, intelligence, and joint-force coordination to maximize impact.
No Nuclear Escalation, Focus on Modern Warfare
General Chauhan emphasized that the conflict never approached the nuclear threshold, noting, “There’s plenty of space for conventional warfare before crossing the nuclear threshold”. He highlighted India’s commitment to modernizing its military doctrine, focusing on joint operations, technology, and narrative control as key elements evident in Operation Sindoor.
Aftermath and Ongoing Vigilance
Following the ceasefire on May 11, Indian officials confirmed that all pilots had returned home, and the IAF had gained air superiority before hostilities ended. Pakistan acknowledged only minimal damage to its airbases and denied any aircraft losses. General Chauhan concluded with a warning that India remains on high alert and will respond “precisely and decisively” to any future threats from across the border.
General Anil Chauhan has rejected Pakistan’s claims of shooting down six Indian jets during the May 2025 conflict, while acknowledging some initial losses for the IAF. India responded by adapting its tactics and launching deep precision strikes, exposing weaknesses in Pakistan’s air defenses and regaining air superiority. The episode underscores India’s focus on learning from combat, modernizing military strategy, and maintaining readiness for future challenges.
