The PAF has shot down several advanced Indian jets, including Rafales, Su-30MKIs, Mirage 2000s and MiG-29s.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu. Photo: YouTube
ISLAMABAD:
Chief of Air Staff Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Tuesday said the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) stunned the world with its decisive and coordinated response during the May 2025 conflict with India.
Addressing the passing out parade at the PAF Academy in Risalpur, the Air Chief described the PAF operations during Marka-e-Haq and Bunyanum Marsoos as the first full-spectrum, multi-domain engagement of its kind.
He said Marka-e-Haq demonstrated Pakistan’s emergence as a regional stabilizer. “We live in difficult times and our adversaries have always sought to undermine our sovereignty. Yet, our armed forces defeated the enemy despite its much greater numerical strength,” he said.
“The world has never seen such a coordinated and bold use of air power. This engagement set a new benchmark for modern air warfare, and in 2025, the PAF has once again demonstrated its overwhelming superiority,” he added.
The Air Chief revealed that for the first time in history, the PAF employed a comprehensive operational approach, integrating space, cyber and electronic warfare with long-range vectors, unmanned aerial systems, killer drones and lurking munitions.
On May 6-7, the PAF shot down several advanced Indian jets, including Rafales, Su-30MKIs, Mirage 2000s, MiG-29s and unmanned aerial vehicles, establishing what ACM Sidhu described as one of the most intense beyond visual range (BVR) engagements in modern times.
He noted that on May 10, in response to Indian preemption, Pakistan executed deep strikes against enemy bases and ground assets in the northern and southern sectors, neutralizing S-400 air defense systems and key command and control centers.
Highlighting the broader strategic context, ACM Sidhu said the success was a product of unified national efforts, blessings of Allah, aggressive decision-making and the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
“The nation and its armed forces provided a remarkable example of unity, determination and professionalism, defeating an enemy that enjoyed numerical superiority,” he said. “Our operations have been calibrated and balanced, with a single objective: to ensure peace with honor.”
“Pakistan is a peaceful country and seeks friendly relations with all nations,” he said. He, however, warned that if Pakistan’s sovereignty was challenged again, the enemy would find the PAF much stronger and better prepared than before.
“As a responsible nuclear power, Pakistan’s global and regional relations have become stronger than ever, while the public’s unwavering confidence in the armed forces is the result of decades of sincere service and sacrifice,” he added.
The air chief stressed that the PAF’s performance in 2025 reflected years of modernization, restructuring and operational innovation. He highlighted Pakistan’s air power, commitment to national defense and professional expertise to the fullest extent.
on the occasion, ACM Sidhu mentioned that the presence of Saudi cadets at the PAF Academy reflects the strong friendship and strategic cooperation between the armed forces of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
While congratulating the graduating cadets, he said they had a sacred duty to defend the air borders of the motherland and the hopes of the entire nation rested on their shoulders.
The ceremony was attended by cadets from various courses including GD(P), Engineering, Air Defense, Navigation, Administration, Special Duties and Logistics, alongside cadets from the Royal Saudi Air Force. The event included a flypast of PAF fighter jets and Sherdil Aerobatic Team, showcasing the skills and professionalism of the Air Force.
(WITH NEWS DESK ENTRY)
