Indian Air Force assessments post-Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, indicate significant attrition to Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 fleet. Operational numbers reportedly dropped from 71-72 to around 65-66, with IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh confirming four to five fighters—most likely F-16s—downed in aerial engagements, alongside ground strikes destroying hangars at key bases like Jacobabad’s Shahbaz, potentially claiming two to four more F-16s under maintenance. India’s S-400 systems proved decisive, achieving the longest surface-to-air kill at over 300 km against a high-value surveillance platform, while precision strikes crippled radars, command centers, and runways, forcing Pakistan to seek ceasefire by May 10. This shift diminishes PAF’s F-16 reliance, favoring platforms like J-10CE, and underscores India’s advancing air superiority amid Pakistan’s modernization challenges