Rafales' Dropped ?

Why are we getting so hassled about losses of Rafale or a MIG. Or for the Pakistanis the F16 or the JF 17. What you need to understand is the strategy at play. OP SINDOOR was never about numbers. It was all about response systems to an act of officially state sponsored terrorism.

Pakistan had invested heavily into its air defence systems, this because they relied completely on the F 16 fleet. The Chinese JF 17 are still not capable enough to provide them air defence and an air strike capability. Recognising the importance of AD capabilities, the PAF moved to create an Air Defence Command (ADC) in 1975. Since then, the PAF has acquired several systems, including the French Mistral very Short-Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) system, which can be used from ground vehicles and helicopters.

The airforce in all war games drew the Pakistani air defence architecture, they found it to be almost impregnable. The AD umbrellas covered all gaps. There was a multi tiered layout with adequate depth. Their VAs and VPs were well protected. They had means in the form of radars and satellites that could detect our aircraft as soon as they took off from right up to Gwalior or central India.

I remember war games where the Air Force spent the first two days out of three, only planning on missions to break this air defence barrier. The surface to air missile systems held by the Pakistani’s include the HQ 9 and its variants, HQ 16, ANZA, FIM 92 Stinger, Aspide MBPA SPADA 2000, Crotale, Hongnu 5, and the RBS 70. The Pakistani AWACs, Erieye-2000 flying radar.

This is war and maybe today called a response system below the threshold of war. But was it? The statements that we only engaged terrorist targets, etc.,9 are all good. But for a belittled enemy its war.

So then when the Indian airforce engaged the Pakistani sponsored terrorist camps in Pakistani terrain with pin point accuracy, without crossing the LOC or the IB, it was already a 15 days after Pahalgam. The Pakistani’s meanwhile built up their AD systems even further. Flew in the drones from Turkey. Maybe some radars from China too. They were well prepared and positioned. They had learnt their lessons post BALAKOT.

The probability of three Rafale being hit though seems a bit low only because of one singular factor. We never crossed the LOC or the IB, so how? Also a bit of controversy in the air is only because social media and the Indian TV started showing old pictures and videos of fallen missile shells and AC. The DGMO briefing never confirmed the rafales being hit. They only said the pilots are safe. The rumours were self generated, even the Pakistani defence minister quoted our social media posts to confirm the rafales being hit.

Even if we lost three Rafale’s, so what? This is war.

The first time we penetrated Pakistani air defence to such a degree that we hit targets even in south west Punjab and Lahore. (Bahawalpur). The first time we sent a signature targeting philosophy by hitting Sargodha, in close proximity to their nuclear facility. The first time we went in prepared and within the framework of controlled retaliation, hit their air fields when they targeted our military targets. For the first time we used missiles and air craft with well positioned ground troops and the navy, to take the war to their heart land and to their sea ports. For the first time we sent a clear message that we aren’t scared of nuclear blackmail. At the same time for the first time we spoke a langauage of restraint and calculated targeting.

Whether we lost Rafale’s or not doesn’t matter. It’s war, when you go to war, you lose men and equipment and also infrastructure. But to perceive to have downed three Rafale’s and declare victory for Pakistan is something hilarious. History will laugh at them.

But the sad part is the debates in India. "Hum apne hi dushman hai ! " Why can’t we understand that the pilots have come back to their hangars safely. Rafale’s will come and SU 57s also will be hit. Please acknowledge that this time though the body count was completely missing. This is indeed a strategic victory beyond parallels.