Tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India have escalated dramatically following India’s cross-border strikes in the early hours of Wednesday.
The action, which India stated was in response to an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s (IIOJK) scenic Pahalgam that resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists, has led to conflicting claims regarding downed aircraft, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, India launched strikes within Pakistan. While the precise details of the operation remain unclear, the aftermath has been marked by claims from both sides concerning the loss of aircraft.
Indian officials, along with Western diplomats and local media reports, have acknowledged the loss of two to three Indian aircraft within India’s borders.
However, Pakistan has asserted a significantly higher toll, stating that its forces shot down five Indian planes and at least one drone. These reportedly downed aircraft include three French-made Rafale fighter jets, one MIG-29 fighter aircraft, one SU-30 fighter jet, and one Heron drone.
John E Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org, a United States-based research group, suggested that surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles could be responsible for downing the aircraft, noting that “Pakistan has both.”
The aircraft Pakistan claims to have downed are significant assets in the Indian Air Force inventory:
Rafale:
This modern, twin-engine fighter jet, manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation, is capable of operating from both aircraft carriers and land bases, according to the NYT.
India recently contracted to purchase an additional 26 Rafales for its navy, supplementing a previous order of 36.
Debris identified as an external fuel tank, potentially from Rafale or Mirage aircraft, was discovered in the village of Wuyan in IIOJK. However, it remains unconfirmed whether this debris is linked to an aircraft downed by enemy fire.
MIG-29:
A Soviet-designed, twin-engine fighter aircraft, the MIG-29 was developed to counter American fighters like the F-16.
Introduced in the 1980s, it has been widely exported and is in service with over 30 nations. Primarily designed for air-to-air combat, some variants also possess ground attack capabilities.
Experts note that the MIG-29 often competes with the F-16 in international arms sales, frequently being outcompeted.
Su-30:
This large, twin-engine fighter jet was developed in the Soviet Union by Russia’s Sukhoi Aviation in the 1990s.
Capable of both air-to-air combat and ground attack missions, the SU-30 (72 feet long with a wingspan exceeding 48ft) is significantly larger than the MIG-29 (nearly 57ft long with a wingspan of around 37ft).
Heron Drone:
The Heron drone is a family of unmanned aerial vehicles manufactured in Israel. US government assessments indicate that India possesses at least one variant of this drone.
