WEBDESK: India’s Chief of Defence Staff, Anil Chauhan, has publicly confirmed for the first time that the Indian Air Force lost an unspecified number of fighter jets during the military clash with Pakistan in May 2025.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Anil Chauhan addressed the issue while talking to Bloomberg TV, acknowledging that India suffered losses in the aerial battle.
Although Anil Chauhan did not reveal the number or models of aircraft lost, his confirmation backs up weeks of speculation and media reports suggesting India’s air force faced setbacks during the conflict. Pakistan had earlier claimed that it shot down multiple Indian fighter jets, including at least three Rafale and a Mirage 2000.
Visual evidence circulating online, including satellite images and eyewitness reports, supports Pakistan’s claims. Some international defense analysts also stated that the losses were significant, though India had remained silent until now.
Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Anil Chauhan said, “I think what is important is not the fighter jets being downed, but why they were downed.”
The May 2025 conflict began after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 people. In response, India launched airstrikes on what it said were militant camps in Pakistan. Pakistan retaliated with its own air operations, leading to intense dogfights over contested territory.
Anil Chauhan said the nature of modern warfare has changed. He described current conflicts as “non-linear, deceptive, and networked,” stressing the need for India to adapt to these conditions. His statement also hinted at the importance of information warfare, which played a major role during the recent India-Pakistan clashes.
The acknowledgment by Anil Chauhan may open the door for more transparent discussions around military engagement and regional security. It also raises concerns over how quickly tensions between two nuclear-armed nations can escalate into open warfare.
This is the first time India has officially accepted fighter jets losses in the May conflict. As more details emerge, the focus will likely shift to diplomatic efforts to prevent future flare-ups between India and Pakistan – two nations with a long history of conflict.
