Latest news with #AWACS
India.com
5 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
India Hits Hard – Heavy Damage To Pakistan Air Force During Operation Sindoor – New Details Reveal…
Details have emerged for the first time about the extent of damage inflicted by the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor, revealing significant losses for Pakistan's military aviation infrastructure. The operation reportedly forced Pakistan to push for a ceasefire, after suffering unexpected blows. The Indian Air Force successfully shot down six Pakistani fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. However, there was no official confirmation regarding whether the aircraft were of American or Chinese origin. Additionally, two high-value aircraft—believed to be AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) planes equipped with radar systems—were destroyed. A Pakistani combat drone and a C-130 transport aircraft were also neutralised. In today's DNA, Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor of Zee News, analysed the damages that were inflicted on Pakistan's Air Force during Operation Sindoor: Watch Full DNA Episode Here: #DNAWithRahulSinha | PAK के नेता आतंकवादी हाफिज के हमदर्द ..हाफिज को चच्चा क्यों मानते हैं PAK नेता?#DNA #Pakistan #HafizSaeed @RahulSinhaTV — Zee News (@ZeeNews) June 3, 2025 These fighter jets or drones were neutralised by Indian missile strikes or air defence systems while they were stationed at various Pakistani airbases. One of the standout moments of Operation Sindoor was India's S-400 air defence system shooting down an AWACS-type aircraft flying approximately 300 kilometres inside Pakistani airspace—an unprecedented feat. The aircraft could have been used for electronic warfare. Another AWACS aircraft was destroyed in a separate missile strike on Pakistan's Bholari Airbase. Rafale and Sukhoi fighter jets from the Indian Air Force also targeted enemy positions, reportedly destroying Chinese-made combat drones. According to sources, the Indian Air Force is still reviewing battlefield data, and further revelations about the scale of Pakistani losses are expected. Meanwhile, despite consistent denials and contradictory statements, Pakistan has admitted internally that the damage was far greater than publicly acknowledged. The Pakistani military has reportedly compiled a dossier confirming that the Indian Air Force struck at least eight more targets than initially disclosed. India had earlier stated it targeted 11 Pakistani airbases, including Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Sialkot, Pasrur, Sargodha, Sukkur, Chunian, Skardu, Bholari, and Jacobabad, as well as nine terror camps. Strikes were also reported in Lahore and Rawalpindi. However, Pakistan's internal assessment lists additional locations—Peshawar, Jhang, Hyderabad, Gujrat, Bahawalnagar, Gujranwala, Attock, and Chhor—as having been hit, none of which were officially acknowledged by Indian sources.
India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
This missile is dangerous for Pakistan's F-16 fighter jets, AWACS, US, China are afraid of it, name is..., will India get this?
New Delhi: After Operation Sindoor, there is a race between India and Pakistan to strengthen their defense systems further. India is moving forward with both indigenous and foreign weapons, which will enhance India's defense capabilities even more. Earlier in February, it was reported that Russia offered India a special missile, named R-37M. It has been developed by Russia and it is believed that if India includes this missile in its combat fleet, even enemies like Pakistan and China would think a hundred times before daring to act. This is one of the best air-to-air missiles in the world. The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently uses the R-77 missile. If an agreement is reached on this, the R-37M missile will replace the R-77. The R-77 missile is a special weapon for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet. Both India and Russia are using this missile. Its purpose is to destroy enemy fighter jets and drones beyond visual range (BVR). According to media reports, Russia has said it will grant India a license to produce the R-37M missile. This means that the missile can be manufactured within India. If this deal goes through, the strength of the Indian Air Force will increase significantly. Notably, this missile is a nightmare for enemies like Pakistan's AWACS. Experts say that the speed of the R-37M missile can reach up to Mach 6. This means it is six times faster than the speed of sound. Due to its incredible speed, this missile can easily target fast-moving targets in the air. Its design is cylindrical. The missile weighs around 510 kilograms and is more than 4 meters long. It is equipped with a 60-kilogram warhead. The R-37M features a special navigation system that allows the missile to change targets mid-flight. The R-37M is a long-range air-to-air missile designed to destroy enemy fighter jets and drones from a distance. It is specifically designed to target enemy AWACS, tanker aircraft, and other support aircraft. This missile is a new version of the older R-33 missile. Its most significant feature is that it can attack without seeing the enemy. This allows fighter jets to launch attacks while remaining outside the enemy's strike capability. The R-37M's range, speed, and guidance system have been enhanced further. This missile is equipped with a rocket booster that can be removed if necessary. With its help, this missile can strike enemy targets 300 to 400 kilometers away. It is one of the longest-range air-to-air missiles in the world. It poses a significant threat to Pakistan's F-16 aircraft. It is important to note that the Pakistan Air Force is heavily reliant on F-16 fighter jets, which are considered their most advanced aircraft.
Mint
5 days ago
- Business
- Mint
IAF chief laments wait for arms
The chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Thursday put the spotlight on the armed forces' agonising wait for new weapons and systems, saying he could not recall a single instance of a project being executed on time --- a wake-up call for the country's defence production sector. 'Timelines are a big issue,' Singh said, in his first public comments after the May 7-10 military confrontation with Pakistan under Operation Sindoor. The armed forces have so far not called 'the black sheep' out, but their 'restraint' should not be stretched to a breaking point, Singh said, issuing a veiled warning to defence public sector units including plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation . 'There's not a single project that I can think of that has been completed on time. We must look within. Why promise something that cannot be achieved. While signing the contract itself, sometimes we are sure that it (weapon or system) is not going to come. But we just sign the contract with the mindset that we will see later what needs to be done. Obviously, the process gets vitiated,' he said at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025. Prominent speakers at the conference included defence minister Rajnath Singh and navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Key projects beset by delays include the light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A), the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, basic trainer aircraft and intermediate jet trainers among others. 'The defence forces have shown restraint and not called a black sheep, a black sheep. We have been trying to encourage people, but someday the restraint will break down. Let's stretch the elastic only to the point it does not break,' said Singh, who is known to be a plain-spoken and straightforward military leader. He has often publicly flagged concerns about a worrying erosion of IAF's capabilities and called for urgent measures to fix it. In February, the IAF chief questioned the ability of HAL to meet the air force's critical requirements in the backdrop of a lingering delay in the supply of new Mk-1A fighter jets, saying he had 'no confidence' in the plane maker. The remarks, made during an interaction with HAL officials, were recorded by someone. HAL chief DK Sunil then said that his company's focus is on delivering the LCA Mk-1A to the IAF at the earliest rather than spending time on countering criticism of the indigenous programme, which is running behind schedule due to several reasons including delay in the supply of engines by US firm GE Aerospace. Singh's latest comments came three months after a top government committee recommended a raft of short and long-term measures to boost the capabilities of IAF, which is grappling with a shortage of fighter squadrons, and pointed out that it was critical to enhance self-reliance in the aerospace sector through increased participation of the private sector to fill critical gaps. The IAF chief spoke about the government unlocking new opportunities for the private sector in defence manufacturing. On May 27, India unveiled its long-awaited plan to fast-track the development of AMCA --- an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, announcing that the execution model will be competitive and provide equal opportunities to public and private sector firms to participate in one of the country's most significant military projects. This could become the private sector's finest hour, he said. 'Please rise to the occasion, come together. If today somebody is manufacturing world-class cars, electronics, and equipment in the civil sector, why can't some of those industries come together and say, 'We will make world-class military equipment even if it doesn't give me the profit I am looking for.' Let's rise together to make this nation a great nation.' The approval of the industry partnership model for AMCA by defence minister Rajnath Singh came at a critical moment HAL --- the sole manufacturer of fighter jets in the country --- was so far believed to be the front-runner for the prestigious project. In February, Singh said the IAF must induct up to 40 fighter jets every year to stay combat ready, adding that participation of the private industry could help boost the aircraft production rate in the country to meet the growing needs of the world's fourth largest air force that is 'very badly off in numbers.' He said an in-house study conducted by the IAF showed that it must induct two fighter squadrons every year to cater for the numbers needed, the existing shortfall, and to replace the aircraft that will be phased out soon. The air force is grappling with a shortage of jets and operates around 30 fighter squadrons compared to an authorised 42. It is concerned about the current pace of the LCA Mk-1A programme because of the possible risks a delay in the induction of new fighters could pose to its combat effectiveness. It's most important for the defence production sector to meet timelines as it impacts the military's battle readiness and national security, said Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (retd), the director general of Centre for Air Power Studies --- an influential think tank. 'Missing timelines has become the norm rather than the exception. We must reverse this trend,' he added.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
IAF chief laments wait for arms
The chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Thursday put the spotlight on the armed forces' agonising wait for new weapons and systems, saying he could not recall a single instance of a project being executed on time --- a wake-up call for the country's defence production sector. 'Timelines are a big issue,' Singh said, in his first public comments after the May 7-10 military confrontation with Pakistan under Operation Sindoor. The armed forces have so far not called 'the black sheep' out, but their 'restraint' should not be stretched to a breaking point, Singh said, issuing a veiled warning to defence public sector units including plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation . 'There's not a single project that I can think of that has been completed on time. We must look within. Why promise something that cannot be achieved. While signing the contract itself, sometimes we are sure that it (weapon or system) is not going to come. But we just sign the contract with the mindset that we will see later what needs to be done. Obviously, the process gets vitiated,' he said at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025. Prominent speakers at the conference included defence minister Rajnath Singh and navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Key projects beset by delays include the light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A), the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, basic trainer aircraft and intermediate jet trainers among others. 'The defence forces have shown restraint and not called a black sheep, a black sheep. We have been trying to encourage people, but someday the restraint will break down. Let's stretch the elastic only to the point it does not break,' said Singh, who is known to be a plain-spoken and straightforward military leader. He has often publicly flagged concerns about a worrying erosion of IAF's capabilities and called for urgent measures to fix it. In February, the IAF chief questioned the ability of HAL to meet the air force's critical requirements in the backdrop of a lingering delay in the supply of new Mk-1A fighter jets, saying he had 'no confidence' in the plane maker. The remarks, made during an interaction with HAL officials, were recorded by someone. HAL chief DK Sunil then said that his company's focus is on delivering the LCA Mk-1A to the IAF at the earliest rather than spending time on countering criticism of the indigenous programme, which is running behind schedule due to several reasons including delay in the supply of engines by US firm GE Aerospace. Singh's latest comments came three months after a top government committee recommended a raft of short and long-term measures to boost the capabilities of IAF, which is grappling with a shortage of fighter squadrons, and pointed out that it was critical to enhance self-reliance in the aerospace sector through increased participation of the private sector to fill critical gaps. The IAF chief spoke about the government unlocking new opportunities for the private sector in defence manufacturing. On May 27, India unveiled its long-awaited plan to fast-track the development of AMCA --- an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, announcing that the execution model will be competitive and provide equal opportunities to public and private sector firms to participate in one of the country's most significant military projects. This could become the private sector's finest hour, he said. 'Please rise to the occasion, come together. If today somebody is manufacturing world-class cars, electronics, and equipment in the civil sector, why can't some of those industries come together and say, 'We will make world-class military equipment even if it doesn't give me the profit I am looking for.' Let's rise together to make this nation a great nation.' The approval of the industry partnership model for AMCA by defence minister Rajnath Singh came at a critical moment HAL --- the sole manufacturer of fighter jets in the country --- was so far believed to be the front-runner for the prestigious project. In February, Singh said the IAF must induct up to 40 fighter jets every year to stay combat ready, adding that participation of the private industry could help boost the aircraft production rate in the country to meet the growing needs of the world's fourth largest air force that is 'very badly off in numbers.' He said an in-house study conducted by the IAF showed that it must induct two fighter squadrons every year to cater for the numbers needed, the existing shortfall, and to replace the aircraft that will be phased out soon. The air force is grappling with a shortage of jets and operates around 30 fighter squadrons compared to an authorised 42. It is concerned about the current pace of the LCA Mk-1A programme because of the possible risks a delay in the induction of new fighters could pose to its combat effectiveness. It's most important for the defence production sector to meet timelines as it impacts the military's battle readiness and national security, said Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (retd), the director general of Centre for Air Power Studies --- an influential think tank. 'Missing timelines has become the norm rather than the exception. We must reverse this trend,' he added.
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First Post
25-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
Pakistan: The land of delusion squeezed between two illegitimate power centres
Sharif's writ lies eroded even further, and Pakistan is lurching ever so close to another military dictatorship. The vexing questions on the Rawalpindi generals' control over politics, economy, judiciary and even the media have now been put to rest read more How do you deal with a problem like Pakistan? This question has vexed Indian policymakers and the political establishment for several decades. We are none the wiser despite several wars and kinetic conflicts, the latest of which took place just a few days ago. At the heart of the problem is a revisionist state where the public stays in a state of permanent suspension of disbelief, while its all-powerful military runs a rentier economy and conjures up alternative realities at will. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Consider, for a moment, how Pakistan fared in the latest battle. We already know well enough about the 11 of the 12 key Pakistani airbases hit by Indian missile strikes, some of which are still inoperable. It suggested a complete failure of Pakistan's China-supplied air defense system. The fact that Pakistan couldn't protect its sensitive air assets, nuclear weapon storage sites or even nuclear command and control centres is a telling commentary on its incompetence. It explains why Pakistan's beleaguered army chief ' went running to the United States seeking immediate intervention.' That the Pakistani DGMO, carrying a message of cessation of hostilities, was made to wait several hours before the Indian side even agreed to take the call on May 10 tells you who emerged with the upper hand. As the fog of war slowly lifts, the magnitude of Pakistan's loss is slowly becoming clear. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has lost 20 percent of its infrastructure, including hangers, hardened air shelters (HAS), critical maintenance equipment and several of its fighter jets, such as an airborne early warning SAAB-2000 aircraft (AWACS) flying 300 km inside its own airspace. These are expensive beasts, even more so for a rickety economy like Pakistan's that survives on doles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The SAAB Erieye-2000 flying radar was struck by India's S-400 SAM system that was activated 11 times during the conflict. That's not all. According to media reports quoting Indian defence sources, PAF lost one C-130 J medium lift aircraft, a JF-17 and two F-16 fighters to air-launched SCALP and BrahMos missiles. India also struck a Chinese-made LY-80 air defence system and took out the prized HQ-9 in Karachi using UAV and loitering munitions, reports Hindustan Times. Pakistan also lost over 50 airmen, including squadron leader Usman Yusuf when Indian missiles struck Pakistan's Bholari airbase at Sindh. The loss of so many lives, as well as high value assets within a span of a few hours would have demolished the swagger and sapped the confidence of any military outfit. But this is Pakistan. Its army has 'never lost a war'. Within a few hours of the ceasefire that was agreed upon in distinctly dishonourable circumstances for the 'Lumber One' military, the Pakistanis declared a 'win', sparking nationwide 'celebrations'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As if at the flick of an invisible switch, Pakistan created an alternative reality where its all-powerful military not only beat back a much larger adversary, but scored an important tactical victory that further tightened the military's grip over every aspect of Pakistan's politics, society and economy. Consider also the fact that within days of a demoralizing defeat, army chief Asim Munir was promoted to the rank of a Field Marshal, only the second military officer in Pakistan's history to get the honour after General Ayub Khan in 1959. Khan, having ousted then President Iskander Mirza in 1958, helped himself to the title a year later. With Munir's 'promotion', Pakistan now has two illegitimate power centres in military and civil domains. Not even Shehbaz Sharif, heavily dependent on the military for survival, believes in his own legitimacy as the prime minister. Riddled with allegations of corruption, poor governance and lack of agency, the Sharif government had become deeply unpopular. As did the military, which for the first time in several decades was facing an organic pushback from the Pakistani middle class – that threw its lot with jailed former prime minister Imran Khan – for the military's outsized influence on Pakistan's polity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The war with India changed everything. Battlefield reverses notwithstanding, Pakistan's military was able to create an in illusion of victory in an 'existential' battle against India, with the aid of some creative myth making. Losses were quickly hidden, the DGISPR shaped the counter-narrative on a war footing pressing into service dubious claims, fake news, AI generated video clips and round the clock press briefings. With the aid of the Western media's discourse power that bought into Pakistani claims that Chinese-built J-10s shot down up to five Indian aircraft, including several Rafales, the narrative coup was complete. Pakistan is now firmly under the grip of military nationalism, and the new generation of army sceptics has been bought over. The tide of popularity has swung in favour of the hitherto unpopular Munir in such a way that the jury is out on whether Munir adorned himself with the title of Field Marshal (Failed Marshal would've been more accurate), or whether Sharif, eager to curry favour with the new 'hero' of the Pakistani masses, decided to be a little creative. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Either way, as the Pakistanis celebrate their hard-earned 'win' over India with a formal dinner with Munir as the 'showstopper' Pakistan. Not even the mightiest of India's cruise or ballistic missiles may destroy Pakistan with efficacy from within the way Pakistan's military can. The most popular mass leader in decades is in jail under strictest of charges and harshest of conditions. The rebellion has been snuffed out. Sharif's writ lies eroded even further, and Pakistan is lurching ever so close to another military dictatorship. The vexing questions on the Rawalpindi generals' control over politics, economy, judiciary and even the media have now been put to rest. The military first claim to the poverty-stricken country's resources finds renewed public mandate. None can save Pakistan from its dance of death. Its embrace of instability, religious fundamentalism and the population's collective somnambulance. The writer is Deputy Executive Editor, Firstpost. He tweets as @sreemoytalukdar. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
