Bengaluru —Inside Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh’s Historic Revelation and the Evolution of India’s Air Power
“This time, there was no ambiguity. We showed the world what we achieved,”
declared Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, addressing a packed audience at the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture on Saturday. In what is being called the most transparent briefing yet on a modern Indian military operation, the IAF chief laid out, with satellite imagery and intelligence inputs, the scale of India’s retaliatory strikes against Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in early May.
“Air power is not just about speed or range—it is about timing, precision, and intent.”
— Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Bengaluru, August 9, 2025
For the first time, Singh confirmed that the Indian Air Force shot down six Pakistani aircraft — five fighter jets and one high-value surveillance platform, believed to be an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) or ELINT aircraft — with one of these kills executed from 300 kilometres away, a feat he described as “the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill” in IAF history.
A Decisive Counterstrike
The Air Chief’s revelations cut through weeks of speculation. The operation, lasting 80 to 90 hours, was India’s most intense cross-border air engagement since the Kargil War. Singh detailed how the IAF, leveraging its S-400 Triumf air defence systems, took down enemy aircraft attempting to probe Indian defences.
“We have at least five fighters confirmed killed and one large aircraft,” Singh said, underscoring that the AWACS-class platform’s destruction represented a game-changing capability in India’s air defence posture.
According to the IAF chief, strikes were also carried out against “at least two command and control centres — Murid and Chaklala — along with six radars, two surface-to-air guided weapon systems in Lahore and Okara, and three aircraft hangars in Sukkur, Bholari, and Jacobabad.”
Learning from Balakot, Leaving No Doubt
Drawing a pointed comparison to the 2019 Balakot airstrike, Singh stressed that this time the IAF backed its operations with irrefutable proof.
“In Balakot, we could not get anything from inside… it became a big issue trying to tell our own people what we had achieved. We had the intelligence, we knew the damage, but we could not convince our people. This time, we could show exactly what happened,” he told the audience.
The IAF’s objective during Operation Sindoor was unambiguous: target only terror-linked assets, avoid civilian harm, and send a deterrent signal. Singh made it clear that there were “no restrictions” from the political leadership — a departure from past allegations of operational limitations.
The Political and Military Context
The operation came amid heightened tensions after repeated cross-border incidents. While Singh refrained from naming specific triggers, the scale of the mission suggests a significant provocation. The political climate was already charged, with Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi questioning the government’s strategy and alleging that pilots in earlier operations had been sent in “with their hands tied behind their backs.”
This time, Singh implied, the leash was off. “There was political will, clear directions, with no restrictions,” he said.
Why the Operation Stopped
One of the most discussed aspects of the lecture was Singh’s explanation for halting the strikes despite some voices calling for escalation.
“Once we achieved our objective — to teach terrorists a lesson so they think twice — we had to look for windows of opportunity to stop. War should not continue for ego’s sake,” Singh said, adding that Pakistan sought talks through their Director General of Military Operations once the scale of damage became apparent.
The IAF’s overwhelming dominance during the operation, Singh revealed, meant “none of Pakistan’s aircraft came close to our air defence range.” Even deep-strike missions signalled India’s ability to hit critical infrastructure at will.
Operational Highlights
Singh’s breakdown of the strikes provided a rare inside look into India’s modern air warfare capabilities.
Key Takeaways from the LM Katre Memorial Lecture:
- Largest-ever surface-to-air kill — AWACS/ELINT aircraft destroyed at 300 km.
- Five Pakistani fighter jets shot down during the operation.
- Command & control centres targeted: Murid and Chaklala.
- Six radar sites destroyed, including major ones in Lahore and Okara.
- Three aircraft hangars struck: Sukkur UAV, Bholari AEW&C, and Jacobabad F-16 hangars.
- S-400 systems proved decisive, intercepting most Pakistani aircraft attempts.
- No political restrictions, unlike past operations.
- Operation lasted 80–90 hours, after which Pakistan requested talks.
The “Ghost of Balakot” Laid to Rest
Singh repeatedly referred to Operation Sindoor as the moment that “took care of the ghost of Balakot.” For the IAF, this meant not only delivering a punishing blow but doing so with documented evidence, leaving no room for domestic or international scepticism.
The Balakot episode had seen political opponents demand proof of terrorist casualties, leading to debates that overshadowed the strategic message. This time, Singh ensured that the narrative was tightly controlled and backed by verifiable data.
Timeline: Major Indo-Pak Air Conflicts
| Year | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Indo-Pak War | First large-scale air combat between IAF and PAF; both sides suffer losses. |
| 1971 | Bangladesh Liberation War | IAF achieves air superiority; PAF severely weakened. |
| 1999 | Kargil War | Limited air engagement; IAF conducts precision strikes in high altitude. |
| 2019 | Balakot Airstrike | IAF targets Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Pakistan; PAF retaliates next day. |
| 2024 | Operation Sindoor | IAF shoots down six Pakistani aircraft, destroys radars, C2 centres, and hangars; largest surface-to-air kill recorded. |
Strategic Implications
Operation Sindoor marks a significant evolution in India’s air warfare doctrine. The long-range kill of a high-value airborne surveillance platform demonstrates not only advanced technological capability but also operational readiness to strike at the heart of enemy battle networks.
By revealing details publicly, the IAF is signalling deterrence — showcasing that any hostile act will be met with a calibrated yet overwhelming response. The message to Islamabad is clear: escalation will come at a cost they cannot sustain.
Looking Ahead
Singh’s lecture was as much about the future as it was about Operation Sindoor. He emphasised the need for continued investment in air defence, electronic warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
“Our objective remains constant — to ensure that those who plan terror know that they will pay a heavy price. We will act decisively, and we will show the results,” he concluded, drawing applause from the audience of defence officers, strategists, and veterans.
In essence, the LM Katre Memorial Lecture did more than recount a successful military operation. It offered a rare, detailed glimpse into India’s evolving defence doctrine, one where technological supremacy, political will, and strategic communication converge to deliver a clear message — deterrence through demonstrated capability.
