Singapore – In a notable and frank admission, India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has acknowledged that the Indian Air Force (IAF) sustained fighter aircraft losses during the recent Operation Sindoor conflict with Pakistan. However, he firmly refuted Pakistan’s assertion that it had shot down six IAF aircraft, labeling the claim “absolutely incorrect.” These remarks, made during interviews with Bloomberg TV and Reuters on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, represent the most direct confirmation of Indian aircraft losses from the highest echelons of the military.
General Chauhan, attending the annual Shangri-La Dialogue organized by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), stressed that the crucial takeaway was not the number of jets lost, but rather identifying the “tactical mistake” that led to these losses. “I think what is important is not jet being down but why…,” he told Bloomberg TV, explaining that India swiftly analyzed and corrected these errors, subsequently launching renewed, long-range strikes deep into Pakistani territory.
While the CDS did not disclose the precise number or types of aircraft lost, his comments offer insight into India’s strategic approach following the setbacks. “The good part is that we are able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets, again targeting at long range,” he stated, highlighting India’s adaptability and resolve. He further confirmed to Reuters that losses occurred in the “initial stages” on May 7, but emphasized that “numbers, that is not important. What was important is why these losses occur and what we will do after that.”
General Chauhan’s dismissal of Pakistan’s inflated claims, which included four Rafales, aligns with India’s consistent rejection of misinformation. He reiterated that on May 10, the IAF “flew all types of aircraft with all types of ordinances,” penetrating Pakistan’s air defence “with impunity” and conducting precision strikes on airbases.
The CDS also highlighted the rationality displayed by both India and Pakistan during the conflict. This is a critical observation, especially given the nuclear capabilities of both nations, suggesting a shared understanding of de-escalation, even amidst active hostilities.
This admission from the CDS builds on earlier statements from Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General, Air Operations, who on May 11 had acknowledged that “losses are part of combat” but assured that all IAF pilots had returned home safely. While India continues to withhold exact details of its losses, General Chauhan’s recent statements provide a candid glimpse into the operational realities and India’s swift response and learning curve during Operation Sindoor.
