US Government’s Stance on F-16 Losses

The United States government has declined to comment on whether Pakistan lost any F-16 fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, a significant military engagement between India and Pakistan from May 7 to May 10. In a statement to NDTV, the US State Department suggested that inquiries regarding the status of these aircraft should be directed to the Government of Pakistan.

Monitoring of Pakistan’s F-16 Fleet

The US maintains comprehensive oversight of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet through Technical Support Teams (TSTs), which are stationed in Pakistan around the clock. These teams ensure compliance with end-use agreements that dictate how these US-built aircraft can be utilized. The agreements are crucial for Islamabad to continue receiving support for maintaining its F-16s.

Contrasting Reports on F-16 Status

The current US stance contrasts with earlier reports provided to Foreign Policy Magazine in 2019, where US defense officials confirmed that all of Pakistan’s F-16s were accounted for following India’s airstrikes on Balakot. This clarification was issued after India claimed it had downed a Pakistani F-16.

India’s Claims and Airfield Strikes

India asserts that several Pakistani F-16s were destroyed during Operation Sindoor, either on the ground due to Indian Air Force (IAF) strikes or in aerial combat. The IAF Chief highlighted attacks on key airfields, including Shahbaz Jacobabad, where an F-16 hangar was reportedly damaged.

Pakistan’s Rebuttal and Call for Verification

Pakistan has dismissed India’s claims and suggested independent verification of both countries’ aircraft inventories. However, India has not responded to this proposal. The ongoing dispute underscores the tension between the two nations regarding military engagements and aircraft losses.

Lack of Response from US Defense Agencies

Efforts by NDTV to obtain further information through a Freedom of Information Act request were unsuccessful, as the US Department of Defense stated it is not obligated to create new documents or conduct research in response to such requests. Subsequent inquiries also went unanswered.