According to Reuters, two U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, claimed that a Chinese-made Pakistani J-10 fighter jet shot down at least two Indian military aircraft on May 7, 2025, marking a significant milestone for China’s aviation capabilities. One official expressed high confidence that Pakistan used the J-10 to launch air-to-air missiles, with at least one of the downed Indian jets identified as a French-made Rafale. Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, claimed the J-10 downed three Rafale jets, while Pakistan’s military asserted a total of five Indian planes were shot down, including three Rafales, one MiG-29, and one Su-30. These claims lack evidence, and India has not officially acknowledged any losses, instead asserting successful strikes on alleged “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan. A French intelligence official reportedly confirmed to CNN that at least one Rafale was downed, but no concrete evidence has surfaced to support these claims.
India’s government, through the Press Information Bureau, dismissed Pakistan’s claims as “propaganda” and “fake news,” specifically refuting reports of Rafale losses. Indian media also reported that India shot down two Pakistani jets, allegedly JF-17s, in retaliatory action on May 8, 2025, though official confirmation is pending. The conflict, dubbed Operation Sindoor by India, was triggered by Indian strikes on Pakistani territory following a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan described India’s actions as a “blatant act of war,” reporting civilian casualties and retaliating with drone and missile strikes.
Both the J-10 and Rafale are 4.5-generation fighter jets, equipped with advanced radar and long-range missiles like the Chinese PL-15 and European Meteor, respectively. The engagement, reportedly a beyond-visual-range (BVR) “stand-off” conflict, is being closely analyzed by global militaries for insights into Chinese and Western military technology, particularly for potential future conflicts like a Taiwan showdown. However, experts caution it’s too early to draw firm conclusions without verified data. China’s foreign ministry claimed ignorance of the matter but urged restraint, while Chinese state media and analysts have celebrated the J-10’s alleged success, boosting stocks of its manufacturer, Avic Chengdu Aircraft Co.
The situation remains murky due to conflicting narratives, unverified claims, and the absence of concrete evidence like wreckage or official Indian confirmation. Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have a history of escalating tensions, and world powers, including the U.S., Russia, and China, have called for de-escalation to avoid a wider conflict in this volatile region.
