US Silent on Fate of Pakistan’s F-16s After Operation Sindoor; IAF Claims Multiple Kills
New Delhi, Aug 13 (TheTrendingPeople) — The US government has declined to provide clarity on the fate of Pakistan Air Force (PAF)-operated F-16 fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, even as the Indian Air Force (IAF) claims to have destroyed or damaged several of them in both ground strikes and aerial combat.
Responding to queries, the US State Department told NDTV:
“We refer you to the Government of Pakistan to discuss its F-16s.”
This cautious stance contrasts with Washington’s detailed confirmations in past incidents involving the same aircraft.
Continuous US Oversight of Pakistan’s F-16s
According to the NDTV report, the US maintains 24/7 oversight of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet through Technical Support Teams (TSTs) — US contractors stationed in Pakistan under end-use monitoring agreements signed between Islamabad and Washington.
These agreements specify how and when Pakistan may use the jets in combat, forming the legal basis for ongoing US maintenance and support. Under these terms, TSTs are contractually bound to know the status of every F-16 in Pakistan’s inventory at all times.
Different From the 2019 Balakot Disclosure
The current US position stands in sharp contrast to 2019, when Foreign Policy Magazine quoted two senior US defence officials confirming that all Pakistani F-16s had been accounted for following India’s Balakot air strikes. That statement came after India claimed to have shot down at least one PAF F-16 during aerial skirmishes.
India’s Claims After Operation Sindoor
India now believes Pakistan lost multiple F-16s during Operation Sindoor — either destroyed on the ground by precision IAF strikes or shot down in air combat.
Three months after the conflict, IAF Chief Air Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria provided specific details:
“Shahbaz Jacobabad airfield [was] one of the major airfields that was attacked. Here, there’s an F-16 hangar. One half of the hangar is gone, and I’m sure there were some aircraft inside which have got damaged there.”
Bhadauria added that the IAF targeted three key locations:
- Sukkur — UAV hangar
- Bholari — AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) hangar
- Jacobabad — F-16 hangar
The Air Chief indicated there was at least one AEW&C aircraft in Bholari’s hangar and “a few F-16s” under maintenance at Jacobabad when the strikes hit. The IAF also claims to have shot down six Pakistani aircraft during the operation.
Pakistan’s Response
Islamabad has rejected the IAF Chief’s statements and maintained its own counterclaims, including assertions that it shot down multiple Indian aircraft during the same period.
Strategic Sensitivity and Silence
Analysts say the US refusal to comment underscores the sensitivity of defence agreements with Pakistan and the geopolitical balancing act Washington faces in South Asia.
By avoiding a public confirmation or denial, the US is shielding its defence relationship with Islamabad while keeping diplomatic space open with New Delhi — both key partners in different strategic contexts.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The fate of Pakistan’s F-16s during Operation Sindoor remains a high-stakes mystery — one with implications for military credibility, strategic deterrence, and diplomatic alignments in South Asia.
While the IAF insists it has crippled Pakistan’s air combat capability, the absence of official US confirmation leaves the matter in the realm of contested claims, ensuring it will remain a flashpoint in India-Pakistan military narratives for years to come.