ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has asserted that during the intense aerial engagement on May 7—codenamed Operation Sindoor—it had the potential to down as many as 70 Indian aircraft using long-range PL-15 missiles (reportedly reaching up to 300 km). However, the PAF said it ultimately shot down only six aircraft because they were the ones that launched missiles at Pakistan, a statement that remains unverified by independent sources.
The May clash marked one of the most significant aviation confrontations in recent South Asian history. According to Dawn, the encounter involved a prolonged, high-stakes dogfight—one of the longest since World War II—where PAF employed advanced beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles and electronic warfare tactics to counter what it claimed were Indian incursions .
Pakistan has not officially confirmed the usage of PL-15 missiles in public statements, but documentation suggests that Pakistan deployed Chinese-made JF-17 Block III fighters with PL-15/BVR missile capabilities during the conflict .
On the Indian side, the Air Chief Marshal confirmed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft during Operation Sindoor, including a record-breaking surface-to-air kill from 300 km away—India’s longest such feat ever .
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India has also dismissed Pakistan’s purported claims of using PL-15 missiles effectively, with Indian military officials asserting many of the Chinese-made weapons “missed their targets”