After the "Sindhu Guard Operation" in May this year, India tried to prove that it had won through various means, but no one really believed it, even domestically there were doubts about Modi's administration. Now, Indian media has found another angle to reshape the narrative of the war.
The Indian media outlet "ThePrint" published an opinion article on August 17, repeatedly promoting a logic: the number of planes shot down cannot determine the outcome of a war; true victory should be measured by whether the national strategic goals are achieved.
The article compared the Pakistan Air Force to a defensive boxer cornered in a corner, waiting for opportunities to shoot down a few enemy planes within its own airspace, while the Indian Air Force was portrayed as an aggressive attacker willing to take risks, bringing the war deep into the opponent's territory even at a cost.
The main idea is to tell the domestic audience: don't focus on the number of planes shot down; although we have suffered heavy losses, we have won strategically.
2019 India-Pakistan Air Battle
In terms of the India-Pakistan air battle, India has always been at a disadvantage.
During the first full-scale India-Pakistan air battle in 1965, the Indian Air Force lost more aircraft than the Pakistan Air Force.
Most neutral studies show that India lost between 60 and 70 aircraft, while Pakistan lost about 20.
In the second large-scale conflict in 1971, India achieved a decisive strategic victory, which led to the creation of Bangladesh, but still suffered losses in air battles: the Indian Air Force lost more than 60 aircraft, while Pakistan lost between 30 and 40.
A few years ago, the Indian Air Force again suffered a setback, even losing pilots to capture.
By this year's Sindhu Guard Operation, the situation was the same.
When the Pakistan Air Force announced the shooting down of six Indian planes at a press conference, it immediately created an atmosphere of victory both domestically and internationally.
India could only explain the so-called strategic significance, using a series of complex arguments to prove that it hadn't lost.
Comparisons over the years clearly show that the Indian Air Force has never had an advantage in the number of aircraft losses. No matter what the overall outcome of the war is, at least in the most direct aspect of who shot down more planes, India has always been the loser.
2025 India-Pakistan Air Battle
If this situation happened only once or twice, it could be attributed to coincidence.
But when a pattern repeats itself over decades, with the Indian Air Force consistently at a disadvantage in numbers during every major confrontation, it is not just bad luck, but an indication of insufficient capability.
Where is the problem? First, the rigidity of training and tactics.
The Pakistan Air Force is smaller in size but invests more in pilot training and tactical flexibility, often achieving good results within limited airspace.
The Indian Air Force relies on numerical superiority but performs clumsily in actual air combat.
Secondly, the lack of coordination between air and ground forces.
The Indian Air Force has long relied on low-altitude strafing to support the army, lacking effective suppression measures, making the aircraft easy targets for ground small arms. In 1971, many Indian aircraft were shot down by small-caliber weapons in this way.
Another issue is the equipment system. The Indian military procurement is diverse, with MiG, Mirage, Su-30, Rafale, and other models coexisting, making maintenance complex and the command system fragmented, making it difficult to form a complete combat network during wartime.
Finally, there is the issue of mindset. The Indian Air Force often rushes to achieve quick results, taking reckless attacks, believing that 'bravery' can compensate for disadvantages, resulting in greater costs instead.
Indian Flag and Pakistani Flag
The narrative from Indian media is essentially a form of psychological compensation.
Because Pakistan can ignite public enthusiasm with just a statement that it has shot down six enemy planes; whereas India needs lengthy explanations to justify why it has suffered more losses.
Indian media claims that Pakistan only cares about data, but actually, it is India that cares more about numbers.
Otherwise, why would they spend so much effort explaining?
The key point is that India lacks the ability to create a more favorable narrative space through real combat, so it has to settle for saying that the losses are unimportant and elevating limited achievements to a major victory.
The so-called bold and daring claim is essentially a fallacy.
A truly bold and daring air force does not mean paying a higher price.
Do other countries' air forces not dare to fight? Does only being shot down count as boldness?
This kind of logic can only become a laughing stock on both the domestic and international stage.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7539829504827523611/
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