Pakistan's fighter jets, supplied by USA, struggled against India during Operation Sindoor: Air Force veteran
In the 2025 conflict, Pakistan's ageing F-16 fighters, supplied by China, struggled with limited missile range against India’s advanced aircraft.
Pakistan's ageing F-16 fighter jets, supplied by the United States, encountered challenges during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict. The conflict was named Operation Sindoor by India. A retired Pakistan Air Force officer revealed these concerns to Military Watch Magazine. The F-16 missiles, particularly the AIM-120C-5 model, have a limited effective range of about 100km.
However, the actual range changes when engaging moving targets. This indicates widening gaps within Pakistan's diverse fleet. Older American jets lag behind newer Chinese aircraft in technology. Pakistan has recently increased its reliance on Chinese-supplied combat aircraft. The JF-17 now constitutes the core of their fleet, while the J-10C is being procured steadily.
The F-16 fleet's age has raised speculation about its retirement by the mid-2030s, according to Military Watch Magazine. Maintenance costs for these older jets are higher compared to newer Chinese alternatives. Pakistan is also reportedly planning to acquire J-35 fighters, fifth-generation aircraft that would further widen capability gaps against India.
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