Between May 7 and 10, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) achieved a significant strategic victory in Operation Sindoor, following the Pahalgam terror attack. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh officially confirmed the downing of six Pakistani aircraft—five fighter jets and one large airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft—by India’s advanced S-400 air defense system. This engagement marked the longest-range surface-to-air missile kill ever recorded, with the AEW&C shot down from approximately 300 kilometers. Austrian military aviation analyst Tom Cooper has further asserted that the actual Pakistani losses were even higher, estimating up to 19 aircraft damaged or destroyed, including key assets on the ground such as F-16 fighters and additional AEW&C aircraft. Cooper highlighted the historic nature of this tactical and operational achievement, emphasizing the unprecedented capability exhibited by India’s air defense network that compelled Pakistan to seek a ceasefire by May 10. The operation has underscored India’s growing air superiority and its sophisticated force projection in the region, sending a strong deterrent signal amid persistent cross-border tensions.