Indian jets that Pakistan has downed are significant assets in the Indian Air Force inventory
Metal debris lies on the ground in Wuyan in IIOJK’s Pulwama district, May 7, 2025. — Reuters
Following India’s moves across the border of Pakistan early Wednesday, tensions between both nuclear-armed neighbours have surged, setting the region on high alert.
The operations were reportedly a reaction to an attack on the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s (IIOJK) scenic Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 travelers, the New York Times suggested on Wednesday.
The New York Times reports that conflicting debts of the engagement, especially regarding plane losses, have emerged. Indian officers have acknowledged that two to 3 Indian planes were lost inside India’s airspace, with the aid of Western diplomats and local media. In comparison, Pakistan shot down five Indian aircraft, which include three French-made Rafale jets, one MIG-29, one SU-30 fighter, and at a minimum one Heron fighter drone.
John E Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.Org, a United States-based research organization, advised that surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles can be responsible for downing the plane, noting that “Pakistan has each.”
The planes Pakistan has downed are sizable property within the Indian Air Force stock:
Rafale
According to the New York Times, this contemporary twin-engine fighter jet, synthetic by Dassault Aviation in France, can function from both aircraft carriers and land bases. India lately entered into a contract to gather a further 26 Rafale aircraft for its navy, in addition to a previous order of 36 planes. In the village of Wuyan in IIOJK, particles recognized as an outside gas tank, likely from a Rafale or Mirage plane, turned into a determination. However, it remains unconfirmed if these particles are linked to an aircraft downed by way of enemy fire
MIG-29
The MIG-29, a twin-engine fighter designed by way of the Soviet Union, changed into developed to oppose American fighters like the F-16. Introduced in the 1980s, it has been extensively exported and is used by over 30 nations. Designed broadly speaking for air-to-air fight, a few versions can also attack ground on the ground. Experts note that the MIG-29 regularly competes with the F-16 in international arms sales, frequently dropping out.
Su-30
This big, twin-engine fighter jet became advanced within the Soviet Union by using Russia’s Sukhoi Aviation in the 1990s
The SU-30 is significantly larger than the MIG-29, which is nearly 57 feet long and has a wingspan of around 37 feet. It can perform both air-to-air combat and ground assault missions.
Heron Drone
The Heron drone is a family of unmanned aerial vehicles, synthetic in Israel. According to assessments performed by the United States authorities, India has at least one variant of this drone.