Wars are often defined by the arrogance, ignorance, and miscalculations of the warring parties. This seems to be true of the present India-Pakistan conflict. 

On the heels of a vicious Islamist terrorist attack directed against Indian citizens in the contested Kashmir region on the subcontinent, the government in New Delhi demanded that Pakistan help to bring to justice the Islamist elements living in Pakistan who were involved in the attack. After the Pakistani government denied any involvement, New Delhi initiated “Operation Sindoor,” a series of retaliatory strikes targeting militant activity inside Pakistan.

India’s Air Force Is Not Prepared for Major War

Operation Sindoor was initiated on May 6-7. In the run-up to the clash—which was widely predicted, given the longtime animosity between the two nations and the demand within India for a vigorous response to the Kashmir attack—India was perceived as having the upper hand over the Pakistanis. In many respects, they do have the advantage. India’s nuclear command-and-control capabilities are superior to those of the Pakistanis. India has a varied set of equipment from both various European contractors as well as the Russians. 

But the Pakistanis have proven their mettle. Armed with top Chinese equipment, and with military assistance provided by the Turks, Islamabad has shown itself to be more than capable of rebuffing at least the initial wave of Indian air attacks. The Pakistanis shot down a total of five Indian Air Force (IAF) warplanes at the start of Operation Sindoor, after all.

But the conflict is still at its opening phases. The Indians have already

© The National Interest