India’s air power superior vis-a vis Pakistan

OPERATION Sindoor, which has merely been paused and can be resumed if Pakistan doesn’t mend its ways, has remarkably showcased the might of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The precision strikes on terror sites and military airbases have been the high point of this operation. No less impressive has been the robustness of India’s multi-layered air defence system, which has foiled Pakistan’s attempts to attack Indian military installations and civilian areas. In his address to the nation on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the nation’s air defence shield for bringing down Pakistani drones and missiles like ‘straws’. The very next day, he travelled to the Adampur airbase in Punjab and interacted with air force personnel, patting their backs for a job well done. This wholehearted gesture was an apt salute to the bravery of our air warriors in particular and the armed forces in general.

The PM’s visit also struck at the root of Pakistan’s disinformation campaign. The neighbour’s claim that its missiles had destroyed the S-400 air defence system at Adampur went up in smoke — the visibly undamaged ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ was seen in the background when the PM waved at the troops. The fully operational airbase was abuzz with excitement, sending a clear message to Pakistan about which air force had every reason to celebrate.

The superiority of India’s air power vis-à-vis Pakistan has never been in doubt. But it’s Operation Sindoor which has demonstrated the IAF’s prowess in the new-age warfare. The country’s air force is among the best in the world in terms of fighting strength, attack and defence capabilities, modernisation and logistical support. Globally, it ranks even higher than the air forces of China, Israel and France. The IAF enjoys a clear-cut, decisive edge in the subcontinent, and this factor alone should deter Pakistan from embarking on any misadventure.

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