On July 17, the authoritative British military media "Air Force Monthly" dropped a bombshell. Executive Editor Alan Wans stated in the report: "Through cross-verification by Indian and French intelligence personnel, the Indian Air Force actually lost five 'Rafale' fighter jets in the India-Pakistan air battle that broke out in May, not three as officially claimed by India." This statement was like a heavy blow, shattering India's previous self-proclaimed "glorious achievements." What shocked even more was that India used eight aircraft to "intercept" eight PL-15E missiles made in China, and instead of a "6-0" victory, it turned out to be an "8-0" defeat! What story lies behind this?

The "Operation Zard" on May 7 should have been a moment of glory for the Indian Air Force, but it became a graveyard for the Rafale fighters. "Air Force Monthly" tore off the veil: India actually lost five Rafales, with serial numbers BS001, BS005, BS008, BS011, and BS013, each worth $2.5 million, and the "French Glory" turned into fireballs in front of the PL-15E missiles. Three were directly hit by the PL-15E and exploded on the spot. The other two managed to return to base, but one was damaged beyond repair and had to be scrapped, while the other was forced to retire due to maintenance issues with domestic technology.

Indian media once boasted that they "intercepted hundreds of PL-15E missiles without any hits," but now they have revealed the recovery of eight missile remnants - which is equivalent to admitting that all eight missiles hit their targets? Three were blown to pieces, two returned to base and were scrapped, and the remaining three remnants "pointed out" the MiG-29, Su-30, and drones. India paid a bloody price, providing an authoritative certification of 100% accuracy for Chinese missiles!

The most ironic winner of this air battle was China's arms sales list. The PL-15E missile wrote its advertisement with real combat performance: "145 km range, dual-pulse engine, specifically treats 'Rafale'不服 (unconquered)." Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishak Dar confirmed in a parliamentary speech that Pakistan used the Chinese-made J-10C fighter jet to shoot down an Indian Rafale fighter jet.

The Indian Defense Research Institute still tried to hold its ground, claiming that the remnants provided "electromagnetic spectrum characteristics" of the Chinese missiles. But paying $12.5 million to buy five aircraft as "live targets" - this tuition fee made global arms dealers laugh out loud. After all, who wouldn't want to see surveillance footage of the Rafale being hit by the PL-15?

This "taking a beating to gain intelligence" logic is so amazing that even Modi economics would bow in submission. Even more absurdly, India exchanged two duds with the United States for AIM-260 technology: originally, the "spoils of war" rely on the enemy's generosity?

When the Pakistani side released the flight recorder, India was busy editing photos: from "hundreds of missiles intercepted" to "eight missile remnants for technical harvest," the script changed faster than Bollywood. Unfortunately, the world remembered the eight kills of the PL-15E, while India's "6-0" boast had already been pierced through by its own remnants.

This air battle completely shattered two myths: the invincibility of the French Rafale and the last shield of the Indian Air Force. While New Delhi was busy gilding its defeat, global buyers had already rushed to the Chinese booth. After all, what is more persuasive than a "corps museum" of the opponent?

No matter how much India boasts about "victory," it cannot hide the embarrassing "8-0" result. As for the Nobel Prize in Economics? It is recommended to award it to the designer of the PL-15E: using Indians' money to print Indians' faces, and having Indians help count the money. That is the most hard-core "trade surplus" of the 21st century!

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7529478904882430502/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking on the [Up/Down] buttons below.