The United States government is declining to comment on the potential losses of Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jets during the recent Operation Sindoor, an 88-hour conflict between India and Pakistan that occurred from May 7 to May 10, 2025.
When approached by news agencies, the US State Department stated, "We refer you to the Government of Pakistan to discuss its F-16s". This response has raised eyebrows, especially considering the close monitoring of Pakistan's F-16 fleet by the US through Technical Support Teams (TSTs). These teams, comprised of American contractors, are permanently stationed in Pakistan to oversee the deployment and maintenance of the US-manufactured jets and ensure compliance with end-use agreements. These agreements dictate the circumstances under which Pakistan can utilize its F-16s in combat and are the basis for ongoing US support in maintaining the fleet. Consequently, the TSTs are contractually obligated to be fully informed about the status of every F-16 jet in Pakistan's inventory at all times.
The silence from the US contrasts with its stance in 2019, following India's airstrikes on the Balakot terror facility. At that time, US defense officials, speaking to Foreign Policy magazine, confirmed that a physical count of Pakistan's F-16s found none missing, thereby contradicting Indian claims of downing a Pakistani F-16.
During the recent Operation Sindoor, India claimed to have inflicted significant losses on the Pakistan Air Force, including the destruction of several F-16s either through aerial combat or ground strikes. Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh identified Shahbaz Jacobabad Airfield, where Pakistan houses its F-16s, as a key target during the conflict, stating that a hangar was partially destroyed, and he believed some aircraft inside were damaged. The Indian Air Force (IAF) also claimed to have targeted a UAV hangar in Sukkur and an AEW&C hangar in Bholari. The IAF further claimed six confirmed aerial kills – five fighter jets and one larger aircraft, potentially an ELINT or AEW&C platform.
Pakistan has vehemently denied these claims. Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has challenged India to allow independent verification of both countries' aircraft inventories to ascertain the truth. India has not yet publicly responded to this challenge.
The US government's silence on the matter persists despite a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by NDTV. The US Department of Defense responded that FOIA does not obligate agencies to create new documents or respond to hypothetical queries. Inquiries to the Pentagon and the office of the US Secretary of Defence for Public Affairs have also gone unanswered.
The current situation leaves the exact number of F-16s Pakistan may have lost during Operation Sindoor unconfirmed. While the US maintains it has teams in Pakistan monitoring the jets around the clock, it remains officially silent, and both India and Pakistan are adhering to their own narratives.
