Six Pakistani aircraft shot down during Operation Sindoor: Air Chief Marshal AP Singh

New Delhi: India's air defence systems shot down six Pakistani aircraft during Operation Sindoor, while air-to-ground missiles caused significant damage by hitting airbases and other defence establishments inside the neighbouring country, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said on Saturday.

In the first details on the extent of loss suffered by Islamabad during India's cross-border strikes from May 7-10, carried out in retaliation for the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Singh said political will was key to mission success, and that no constraints were placed. The armed forces were given a free hand to manage escalation, he said.

"We have at least five fighters confirmed (as) kills and one large aircraft, which could be either an ELINT (electronic intelligence) or AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) aircraft, which was taken on at a distance of about 300 km. This is actually the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill we can talk about," said the air chief. He was addressing the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru.

Prior to this, the Indian Air Force had not quantified how many fighters were shot down during the operation.

‘No Restrictions Put on Us’

Pakistan had earlier claimed it downed Indian fighter jets, including Rafales, during the conflict.

Elaborating on the damage caused on the other side, Singh said many airfields were hit and hangars housing F16 fighters, drones and aerial warning as wel as control aircraft were damage. “We were able to get at least 2 command and control centres, like Murid and Chaklala... at least 6 radars, some big, some small. We have an indication of at least one AEW&C in that AEW&C hangar and a few F-16s, which were under maintenance there (were damaged).”

The Air Force chief also addressed the issue of constraints placed on the armed forces that the opposition has been trying to rake up, making it clear that the armed forces had been given a free hand to manage the missions and escalation.

“A key reason for success was the presence of political will. There were very clear directions given to us. No restrictions were put on us. If there were any constraints, they were self-made. We decided how much to escalate. Our attacks were calibrated because we wanted to be mature about it,” he said, adding, “There were no, I repeat, no restrictions on us. Full freedom was given to plan and execute”.

In particular, the Air Force chief mentioned the S400 air defence system as a game changer, saying that Pakistan was not able to penetrate it and cause damage on the Indian side. “The range of that system has really kept their aircraft away from their weapons like long-range glide bombs that they have. They have not been able to use any of those because they have not been able to penetrate the system,” he said.