The sky over Kashmir was ignited by the flames of war at dawn on May 7th, as an air battle that initially seemed like a regional conflict has the potential to become a historical turning point rewriting global military cognition. When Pakistan's military announced it had shot down six Indian aircraft, the entire international military circle was shaken. This is not only a contest between two old enemies in the South Asian subcontinent but also considered a "textbook-style" real combat test for China-made air defense systems against advanced weapons in the world.

Six Aircraft Downed, India Silent

At dawn on May 7th, India suddenly launched a missile attack on Pakistan, targeting Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. The depth of the attack set a record since 1971. However, this "show of force" quickly turned into a nightmare for the Indian Air Force. The Pakistani military swiftly responded, announcing the shooting down of six Indian military aircraft, including three French Rafale fighter jets valued at $288 million each, one Sukhoi Su-30MKI, one MiG-29, and one Heron drone.

Once the news broke, it caused a global sensation. The Indian government remained silent for seven or eight hours, which only increased public belief in the authenticity of Pakistan's claims. Later, Indian media cited government sources revealing that at least three Indian military aircraft crashed in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Videos of the wreckage of the Rafale fighter jets filmed by local residents spread widely online, further confirming Pakistan's achievements. It is known that the Rafale fighter jets are considered India's "ace" against China's J-20, so the psychological impact on the Indian Air Force can be imagined.

China-Made "Air Defense Myth"

This air battle drew global attention because it became a "power certification site" for Chinese weapon systems. The Pakistani military disclosed that the main force behind shooting down Indian aircraft was China-made air defense systems and aircraft—the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet paired with the Hongqi-9P long-range air defense missile system, forming a "far-mid-near" multi-layered air defense network.

The JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, especially the latest model JF-17B3, equipped with active phased array radar and PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles, holds the upper hand in modern air combat's "beyond-visual-range duels." The Hongqi-9P long-range air defense missile system has a maximum range of 260 kilometers, and eight four-pack launch vehicles of a missile battalion can cover airspace within a radius of 125 kilometers. Together with the ZDK-03 airborne early warning aircraft and the LY-80 medium-range air defense system, Pakistan achieved localized air defense superiority in Kashmir.

In comparison, although the Indian Air Force is equipped with advanced Russian-made Su-30, MiG-29, and French-made Rafale fighters, the chaotic equipment sources and poor compatibility have led to many vulnerabilities in actual combat. When Indian aircraft encountered China's "air defense dream team," their once-boasted maneuverability and speed advantages were no match against electronic warfare and beyond-visual-range strikes.

"Technological Revolution" Behind the Air Battle

The significance of this air battle goes far beyond the conflict between India and Pakistan. It revealed the technological truth of modern air combat: In the era of "electronic and weapon-based decisions" and "system-based victories," simply pursuing aircraft maneuverability has become outdated.

In terms of weaponry, the PL-15 missile's beyond-visual-range attack capability made American mid-range air-to-air missiles and European Meteor long-range missiles pale in comparison; the radar performance of the JF-17B3 made American and French radars look like "nearsighted eyes." In terms of operational systems, China's "air defense dream team" for Pakistan, from early warning command to firepower strikes, formed a tight chain, showcasing powerful systematized combat capabilities.

Interestingly, the JF-17 fighter jet is not the most advanced model in the Chinese Air Force inventory, leaving a generation gap with the J-20; the Hongqi-9P is also not the ultimate version of this series. This naturally raises questions: if more advanced Chinese equipment were used, what kind of combat power would be displayed?

India's "Embarrassing Dilemma" and the World's "Reappraisal"

India finds itself in a dilemma: If it stops now, domestic nationalism will be difficult to calm; if it continues to provoke, there is no guarantee that it won't suffer another defeat at the hands of Chinese weapons. The impact of this air battle on the global military landscape may just be beginning.

For a long time, Western military equipment has been seen as the epitome of "high-end." Now, China's weapons have crushed advanced Russian and French equipment in actual combat, undoubtedly breaking this conventional perception. More importantly, with a large number of American electronic devices used in Indian aircraft, this loss also turned the debate over the strength of Sino-American electronic warfare from a one-sided "American myth" into a suspenseful "century mystery."

The smoke of the India-Pakistan air battle has yet to dissipate, but its shock has already sent ripples through the global military community. China-made weapons are using actual combat as a stage to declare to the world: The era of China's national defense industry has arrived! How this air battle will rewrite the international military landscape remains to be seen.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7501649426360893990/

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