A British defence journal has published a detailed report claiming that several Indian Air Force assets were lost during the recent May aerial confrontation between Pakistan and India. According to the report, four Indian Rafale fighter jets, identified by serial numbers BS 001, BS 021, BS 022, and BS 027, were allegedly destroyed during a 52-minute air engagement along the Line of Control.
The journal states that the clash was one of the most intense air encounters in the region in recent years. Alongside the Rafale losses, India reportedly also lost MiG-29 and Su-30 fighter aircraft, as well as multiple Heron unmanned aerial vehicles. These claims, however, have not been officially confirmed by Indian authorities.
The report further highlights Pakistan’s use of multi-domain warfare tactics, combining air power with electronic and cyber operations. It claims that Pakistani cyber warfare units managed to disrupt nearly 96 percent of India’s digital and communication infrastructure during the conflict, affecting radar systems, command links, and battlefield coordination.
Another key claim in the report is the alleged destruction of an Indian S-400 air defence system in Udhampur by a JF-17C Block 3 fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force. In addition, command and control centers in Barnala were reportedly targeted, further limiting India’s operational response.
Defence analysts quoted in the journal suggest that the engagement reflects a shift in regional air combat, where technology integration, cyber capabilities, and rapid response platforms play a decisive role. While the claims remain disputed, the report has sparked renewed debate over air superiority and modern warfare in South Asia.
