Reassessing the 2025 India–Pakistan Air Clash and Its Aftermath

In May 2025, a brief India–Pakistan clash unfolded in the wake of Operation Sindoor, a move that significantly raised regional tensions. Pakistan publicly claimed notable air-combat successes, including the downing of multiple Indian Rafale jets. Cited weapons included Chinese PL-15 missiles, though independent verification remained contested. Pakistan also asserted damage to Indian S-400 air-defense assets, a claim that stirred debate about IAF situational awareness and command-and-control integration. Observers noted that, whether every assertion was verified, the record reinforced a perception shift toward hardware and doctrine associated with Chinese-supplied Pakistani systems. Analysts also flagged the role of regional air-defense architectures and training regimes in shaping perceived outcomes.