PAF downed Indian jets in major battle, confirms Reuters
Pakistani pilots triumphed in largest air clash of recent times
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May 9, 2025
AMID the ongoing confrontation between the armed forces of Pakistan and India, a leading news agency has confirmed what most Pakistanis have known since Wednesday morning: that pilots of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), flying Chinese-made fighter jets, shot down at least two Indian military aircraft — one of which was manufactured by a prominent Western aerospace company.
This revelation has brought a sense of triumph and pride to everyone in Pakistan, particularly as Indian authorities have sought to downplay the event. The encounter, described by analysts as possibly the largest aerial engagement in recent history, saw the PAF personnel employ Chinese aircraft with such lethal precision that even French-built jets were neutralised within hours.
Reports suggest that several global militaries are now keen to study the details of this major confrontation between the PAF and the Indian Air Force. Pakistani authorities have actually claimed downing a total of five Indian fighter jets during the clash.
For the record, we are reproducing below the original report as published by Reuters.
Exclusive: Pakistan's Chinese-made jet brought down two Indian fighter aircraft, US officials say
By Saeed Shah and Idrees Ali
ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON, May 8 (Reuters): A top Chinese-made Pakistani fighter plane shot down at least two Indian military aircraft on Wednesday, two US officials told Reuters, marking a major milestone for Beijing’s advanced fighter jet.
An Indian Air Force spokesperson said he had no comment when asked about the Reuters report.
The performance of a leading Chinese fighter jet against a Western rival is being closely watched in Washington for insights into how Beijing might fare in any showdown over Taiwan or the wider Indo-Pacific.
One US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was high confidence that Pakistan had used the Chinese-made J-10 aircraft to launch air-to-air missiles against Indian fighter jets — bringing down at least two.
Another official said at least one Indian jet that was shot down was a French-made Rafale fighter aircraft.
Both officials said Pakistan’s F-16 aircraft, made by Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab, were not used in the shootdown.
Delhi has not acknowledged the loss of any of its planes and instead said it carried out successful strikes against what it said was "terrorist" infrastructure inside Pakistan.
While Reuters reported on Wednesday that three Indian planes went down, citing local government officials in India, this marks the first Western confirmation that Pakistan’s Chinese-made jets were used in the shootdowns.
Pakistan’s Defence minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, told Reuters on Thursday that the J-10 was used to shoot down three French-made Rafale planes, which were newly acquired by India. Altogether, Pakistan says it downed five Indian planes in air-to-air combat.
The Rafale and the model of the J-10 used by Pakistan are both considered generation 4.5 fighter jets, placing them at the leading edge of combat aircraft.
Western analysts and defence industry sources said the live use of some of the advanced weapons that could be deployed in future major power conflicts would be scrutinised in minute detail, but emphasised it was too early to draw firm conclusions.
“Air warfare communities in China, the US and a number of European countries will be extremely interested to try and get as much ground truth as they can on tactics, techniques, procedures, what kit was used, what worked and what didn't,” said Douglas Barrie, senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.