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Pakistan Downs India's French Rafale Fighter Jets in History's Largest Aerial Battle

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilots flying Chinese-made J10C fighter jets shot down at least two Indian Air Force's French-made Rafale jets in history's largest ever aerial battle involving over 100 combat aircraft on both sides, according to multiple media reports. India had 72 warplanes on the attack and Pakistan responded with 42 of its own, according to Pakistani military. The Indian government has not yet acknowledged its losses but senior French and US intelligence officials have confirmed that at least one Indian Rafale jet was shot down by Pakistan on May 7, 2025. Reports of more Rafale downings are being investigated by western intelligence officials. This marks the first time that the sophisticated French-made warplane has been lost in combat.

Rafale is the most advanced French 4.5 generation fighter plane. Indian Prime Minister Narendra spoke about India's need for Rafale back in 2019 after the last IAF-PAF dogfight and said: "We (Indians) acutely felt the absence of Rafale today.....if we had Rafale today the results would have been very different....desh ka bahut nuksaan hua hai" Then Mr. Modi proceeded to spend $7.4 billion to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets from France in the hope of achieving air superiority over Pakistan. Each Rafale cost Indian taxpayers $288 million.

Military aviation analysts conclude from the results of the air battle that the Chinese technology is as good, if not better than, the western technology. However, men count as much, if not more than, the machines. The legendary US Air Force pilot Chuck Yeager called Pakistan Air Force pilots "the best in the world". In another tweet in 2015, Yeager said "they (PAF pilots) kicked the Indians butt".

In the 1980s, the Pakistan Air Force pilots went head-to-head with Russian combat pilots in Afghanistan. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has the distinction of being the only air force that has engaged and shot down multiple Russian fighter pilots in combat since WWII. The most prominent among those shot down by PAF was Colonel Alexander Rutskoy who ejected over Pakistani soil and was captured by Pakistan. After his release, Rutskoy was decorated as a hero of the Soviet Union and went onto become vice president of Russia under Boris Yeltsin, before leading an attempted coup in 1993, according to The National Interest publication.

The aerial battle between Pakistani and Indian fighter jets, which Pakistani officials claim downed five Indian planes, was one of the “largest and longest in recent aviation history,” a senior Pakistani security source told CNN. Over 100 combat planes battled for over an hour, with neither side leaving its own airspace, according to the CNN source who detailed that the missile exchanges were happening at distances sometimes greater than 160 kilometers (100 miles). The entire air battle was conducted using BVR (beyond visual range) radars/sensors with stand-off weapons.

Global militaries and defense analysts are now studying the India-Pakistan aerial battle on May 7, 2025, according to Reuters. Here's an excerpt of the Reuters' report:

"Experts said the live use of advanced weapons would be analyzed across the world, including in China and the United States which are both preparing for a potential conflict over Taiwan or in the wider Indo-Pacific region. One U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters there was high confidence that Pakistan had used the Chinese-made J-10 aircraft to launch air-to-air missiles against Indian fighter jets".

Here's Prime Minister Modi Speaking of India's Acute Need For Rafale in 2016:

https://youtu.be/QIt0EAAr3PU?si=KpcJW60jvD9r0xeQ

http://www.youtube.com/embed/QIt0EAAr3PU?si=KpcJW60jvD9r0xeQ"; title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>" height="315" src="https://img1.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" width="560" style="cursor: move; background-color: #b2b2b2;" />

Comment by Riaz Haq 7 hours ago: China's Norinco delivers SH-15 howitzers to Pakistan

https://www.janes.com/defence-intelligence-insights/defence-news/de...

China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (Norinco) delivered the second batch of SH-15 155 mm/52 calibre wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH) based on a Shaanxi 6×6 truck to the Pakistan Army.

According to images posted on Chinese social media Weibo, Norinco is seen delivering the second batch of 56 SH-15 howitzers to Pakistan in a ceremony. The SH-15 is an export designation of the PCL-181 155 mm wheeled SPH produced by Norinco.

In 2019, Pakistan signed a contract with Norinco to deliver 236 SH-15s. The first batch was delivered in January 2022. The number of howitzers received in the first batch is not known.

On 23 March 2022, the Pakistan Army unveiled its SH-15 howitzer during the Pakistan Day parade held at the Shakarparian Parade Ground in Islamabad, the country's capital.

According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence, the SH-15 weighs 22 tonnes and can attain a maximum speed of 90 km/h on road.

The SPH is armed with a 155 mm L52 howitzer provided with a digital fire-control system (FCS). In addition, the SH-15 features a semi-automatic loader.

According to Norinco, the SH-15 is capable of being deployed in a quick-reaction role in the high-plateau region. Norinco said the SH-15 can fire 4–6 rds/min and has a range of 53 km.

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Pakistan deploys 250 Chinese howitzers along India border; can strike up to 72 km
Pakistan has deployed 250 Chinese-made SH-15 truck-mounted self-propelled howitzers along its border with India in a major boost to its artillery capabilities, top intelligence sources told India Today.

https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pakistan-deploys-250-chinese-...

In a big escalation of border militarisation, Pakistan has deployed 250 Chinese-made SH-15 truck-mounted self-propelled howitzers along its border with India in a major boost to its artillery capabilities, top intelligence sources told India Today. According to sources, the Pakistan Army has begun systematically positioning the 155mm artillery systems across key sectors along its eastern frontier with India, stretching from north to south.

According to defence sources, the induction of 250 SH-15 systems is sufficient to equip multiple artillery regiments, significantly strengthening Pakistan's long-range conventional strike capability.
CHINA-PAKISTAN DEFENCE TIES DEEPEN

The latest delivery also highlights the growing defence partnership between Islamabad and Beijing, which has expanded steadily over the past decade. Beyond arms transfers, China and Pakistan have increased joint military exercises aimed at improving interoperability, networked command-and-control capabilities and combined-arms operations.
On Saturday, Pakistan commemorated the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Speaking at the event, Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, described the relationship between Pakistan and China as "unique, time-tested, and has remained steadfast in the face of evolving regional and global challenges."
According to Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the ceremony was attended by Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, China's Defence Attachw Major General Wang Zhong, officials from the Chinese Embassy and senior officers from Pakistan's Army, Navy and Air Force.

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