New Delhi: India’s Operation Sindoor in May this year caused extensive damage to multiple Pakistani Air Force (PAF) installations, including F-16 fighter jets, AWACS aircraft, radar systems, and command centres, documents obtained by exclusive sources reveal. The strikes followed the Pahalgam terror attack and targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.
Contrary to Pakistan’s claims that its aircraft remained unscathed, the operation reportedly destroyed or damaged several key assets. Among the affected were a Swedish-made Saab 2000 Erieye AWACS, a Lockheed C-130 transport aircraft, and at least four F-16 fighter jets. Additionally, missile strikes hit radar systems, command and control units, and air defence installations across multiple airbases.
Significant destruction occurred at PAF Bholari Airbase, where an F-16 parked in a hangar was destroyed, resulting in the deaths of five PAF personnel, including a Squadron Leader and Chief Technician. The AWACS Erieye at Bholari was later repaired with the help of US Air Force engineers. Other major impacts included:
• PAF Shahbaz Air Base (Jacobabad): Two F-16s destroyed in hangars
• Nur Khan Airbase (Rawalpindi): One F-16 and a C-130 struck
• Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan, Mushaf Airbase: Runways, hangars, and communication systems severely damaged
High-level Pakistani defence sources confirmed that $400–$470 million in emergency funds were allocated in late May for repairs and upgrades. The United States reportedly prevented China from providing assistance due to concerns over technology security related to F-16s and C-130s.
To expedite repairs, the US sent specialized teams from Al-Udeid Airbase (Doha), Al Dhafra (Abu Dhabi), and Bethesda (Maryland) after Field Marshal Asim Munir personally requested assistance during meetings with US President Donald Trump and retired CENTCOM Chief Michael Kurilla. Multiple US military flights, including C-17s and C-130s, were tracked landing at Nur Khan Airbase between June and September, confirming covert support. General Kurilla was later awarded Pakistan’s highest military honour in July 2025 for his role.
While most damage has been repaired, Rahim Yar Khan’s airbase runway remains out of service due to flooding in South Punjab. PAF is also implementing hybrid American-Chinese satellite-integrated radar systems to prevent future vulnerabilities.
Operation Sindoor highlights the precision and strategic impact of India’s strikes, while exposing Pakistan’s increasing reliance on US military assistance despite growing collaboration with China.
