IAF Destroyed SAAB-2000, F-16 and JF-17

The Indian Air Force destroyed a SAAB-2000 airborne early warning system deep inside Pakistan, nearly 315 KM from the India-Pakistan border. According to a Hindustan Times report, IFA also destroyed a medium-lift transport aircraft, C-130J, two American-exported F-16 jets and a Chinese JF-17 fighter jet on May 10 this year. 

Pakistan’s SAAB-2000 Early Warning Airborne Aircraft, Source: Yeni Safak

During Operation Sindoor, in response to a brutal Pakistan-backed terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 innocent civilians, India destroyed terrorist camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). Pakistan responded by launching Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos, which started early morning on May 10, aiming to destroy Indian bases in the next 48 hours. However, the campaign ended within eight hours and a ceasefire was reached. 

India Used BrahMos, SCALP and S-400

During India’s Operation Sindoor, Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft were used. As Rafale is a French imported weapon, India used SCALP missiles and Su-30MKI, a Russian-origin fighter jet, which used BrahMos missiles to destroy enemy targets. The heavy use of firepower from the Indian side forced Islamabad to seek a ceasefire by asking for help from the US by 9:30 am that morning only.

 SACLP Missile, Source: Defense Security Asia

India also used its defensive weapons to deter the incoming projectiles from Pakistan. According to reports, India’s S-400 air defence system, stationed in Adampur, was activated 11 times during the whole operation. SAAB-2000, an early warning aircraft flying 315 Km inside the Pakistani border, was hit by an S-400. 

Initially, IAF disabled the northern air command-control network at the Nur Khan airbase in Chaklala. The final blow struck Jacobabad and Bholari airbases, which forced Pakistan to abandon active confrontation and appeal for a Ceasefire. 

India Destroyed LY-80, HQ-9 and Chinese version of the S-300

The destruction was not limited to aircraft and airbases but also destroyed a number of Pakistani Air Defence Systems, including a Chinese-supplied LY-80 air defence system in Lahore using a HARPY kamikaze drone. India further destroyed the HQ-9 surface-to-air system, the Chinese version of the S-300, in Malir, Karachi.

Pakistan’s LY-80 Air defence System

Prior to that, India destroyed nine terrorist camps on May 7. Seven of these camps were destroyed by using loitering munitions by the Army, Air Force, and Navy. However, India used SCALP and BrahMos missiles, which have more accuracy, to destroy high-value targets such as Muridke and Bahawalpur.