Tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India have escalated dramatically following India’s strikes across the border in the wee 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 killed 26 tourists, has resulted in conflicting claims regarding downed aircraft, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, India launched strikes in Pakistan. While the exact details of the operation remain unclear, the aftermath has been marked by claims from both sides regarding 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 far greater toll, saying its forces shot down five Indian planes and at least one drone. These 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 NYT.
India recently contracted to purchase an additional 26 Rafales for its navy, adding to a previous order of 36.
Debris identified as an external fuel tank, potentially from Rafale or Mirage aircraft, was found in the village of Wuyan in IIOJK. However, it remains unconfirmed if 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 used by over 30 nations. Primarily, designed for air-to-air combat, some variants can also attack ground targets.
Experts note that the MIG-29 often competes with the F-16 in international arms sales, frequently losing out.
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 of over 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 unnamed aerial vehicles manufactured in Israel. US government assessments indicate that India possesses at least one variant of this drone.
