A dogfight between 125 Pakistani and Indian fighter jets lasted for over an hour on May 7.
Points of attention
- The air battle between India and Pakistan on May 7 involving 125 fighter jets lasted over an hour, making it one of the largest in modern aviation history.
- Pakistani and Indian fighter jets exchanged missile fire at ranges exceeding 160 kilometers, highlighting the tension and scale of the confrontation.
- The quality and range of the Chinese PL15 missiles, used by Pakistani fighters, were showcased during the battle, potentially influencing the dynamics of future military engagements.
Record-breaking aerial battle between India and Pakistan
This was reported by a high-ranking source in the Pakistani security service.
According to Pakistani security officials, the "fierce battle" between Pakistani and Indian fighter jets that took place at dawn on May 7 was one of the largest and longest in modern aviation history.
According to the source, a total of 125 fighter jets fought in the air for more than an hour, with neither side leaving its airspace. The Pakistani official specified that the exchange of missile fire sometimes took place at distances of more than 160 kilometers.
At times, the Indian Air Force had to conduct multiple airstrikes on targets. Pakistan did everything possible to warn civilians in areas it considered potential targets, the source said. The official added that the military managed to minimize civilian casualties.
This information was commented on by Yevhen Sasko, a colonel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, former deputy commander of the SSO of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and former head of the Strategic Communications Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
There are some doubts that these countries will be able to simultaneously and in one place lift 125 combat aircraft into the air. This requires advanced logistics and high planning. However, if it is true, then this is a new discovery in the history of modern warfare.
The specialist drew attention to another detail, commenting on the information about 5 downed Indian Air Force planes.
If the information about the shooting down of five Indian Air Force aircraft is reliable (and the fact of the shooting down of one Rafale has already been confirmed), then this demonstrates the quality of the Chinese PL15 missiles, which are in service with Pakistani fighters. And somewhat devalues the purchase of Rafale by India (9 billion for 36 aircraft). When assessing the confrontation of the Chinese J10C fighters (in service with Pakistan since 2022) against the French Rafale (in service with India), it should be taken into account that the J10C has PL15 missiles (declared range 200-300 km), which are superior in characteristics to the Meteor missile on the Rafale (declared range up to 200 km).
Recall that in the early morning of May 7, the Indian armed forces launched a military operation, striking at Pakistan's infrastructure. Pakistan launched a retaliatory attack. According to Pakistani security sources, during the Indian attack, Pakistan shot down five Indian Air Force aircraft and one drone.
