The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has publicly praised the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) execution of Operation Sindoor, calling it a “benchmark in modern air warfare” and a clear exposure of Pakistan’s air defense vulnerabilities. The remarks were made during a high-level RTAF conference analyzing the May 2025 India-Pakistan air conflict, which erupted after a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
✈️ Operation Sindoor: Tactical Brilliance and Strategic Depth
Launched on May 7, 2025, Operation Sindoor was India’s first cross-border air campaign since 1971, targeting terror infrastructure and PAF bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The IAF deployed:
- Rafale jets armed with SCALP-EG cruise missiles
- Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs equipped with BrahMos-A supersonic missiles
- Israeli-made Harop loitering munitions for radar suppression
The strikes hit 11 of Pakistan’s 13 major airbases, including Nur Khan, Sargodha, Shorkot, and Bholari, crippling runways, command centers, and radar installations.
📉 Pakistan’s Air Defense “Collapsed”: Thai Air Marshal
RTAF Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence) Air Marshal Sommai Leelitham stated:
“The IAF’s ability to strike multiple high-value targets without confirmed losses reflects a collapse of Pakistan’s integrated air defense and a commendable evolution in Indian air combat doctrine.”
He emphasized that Chinese-supplied HQ-9 systems failed to intercept Indian missiles and drones, exposing critical gaps in Pakistan’s air defense grid.
🛰️ Satellite Imagery Confirms Damage
Post-strike satellite images from KawaSpace and Maxar Technologies confirmed:
- Destruction of F-16 hangars at Sargodha
- Damage to AEW&C aircraft at Bholari
- Neutralization of radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot
Despite Pakistani claims of minimal damage, Indian officials released visuals showing extensive destruction.
🤝 Ceasefire After Tactical Dominance
The four-day conflict ended on May 10, after Pakistan’s DGMO reportedly requested a ceasefire. Indian officials claimed the strikes were a measured response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians.
🌏 Global Military Interest
Operation Sindoor is now being studied by air forces across Asia as a case study in precision warfare, with the Thai Air Force’s endorsement highlighting India’s growing strategic influence.
Stay tuned for more updates on South Asia’s evolving air power dynamics.
