Will Satyam ev Jayate about Op Sindoor

 Will Satyam ev Jayate about Op Sindoor?

Reference is made to the following (please check details in following links) 

(a)    the Director General Air Operations stating that aircraft losses is not a matter of concern as the pilots are safe 

https://www.timesnownews.com/india/who-is-air-marshal-ak-bharti-indias-dg-air-ops-part-of-operation-sindoor-briefing-article-151611988 

(b)    Statement of EAM and the subsequent clarification by MEA that it is misrepresented 

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jaishankar-remarks-on-op-sindoor-misrepresented-government-on-pakistan-admission-claim-2726403-2025-05-17

(c)    Statement of the CDS at the Shangrila conclave that India had to change its tactics after the first day 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/numbers-not-important-rectified-tactical-mistakes-cds-anil-chauhan-on-pakistans-claim-of-downing-india-jets-during-operation-sindoor/articleshow/121533331.cms 


(d)     And finally the statement of our Defence attaché in Indonesia mentioning loss of aircraft is immaterial

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/iaf-lost-aircraft-constraint-political-leadership-defence-attache-jakarta-out-of-context-10099049/ 


The latest to join the discussion in the media for the past couple of days has an article (link provided below) that China is utilising its Defence Attaches abroad to disparage the Rafale fighter aircraft and promote its own fighter aircraft. 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/06/france-rafale-fighter-jets-china-pakistan-india/ 

The article also quotes French Intelligence and its Air Force chief, General Jerome Bellanger, that India lost one Rafale, one Su-30 and a Mirage – 2000 in Op Sindoor. 

In terms of weather, fog usually dissipates and visibility improves when the sun come out giving way to mist and finally excellent visibility. Unfortunately, the fog of Op Sindoor appears to have given way to the mist of ambiguity but not to the excellent visibility of truth. And truth, though bitter like medicine cures all ills.

Fitness of Rafale in Combat

Having written this, it is not my case that we have a Defence attaché in many countries and they should take up cudgels on behalf of the Indian Air Force (denying or confirming losses). Dassault Aviation will put its public relation apparatus to speak about the superiority of the Rafale over Chinese AAM or fighter aircraft and France will elucidate that Rafale is a strategic asset. 

Foreign Relations

Our Government, in its wisdom, sent out delegations of Members of Parliament to various countries to explain Op Sindoor in political and diplomatic terms. Was it necessary to explain ourselves to nations far and wide that India took actions that we deemed considered appropriate to dissuading terrorism? Were our embassies and high commissions inadequate or improperly briefed to fulfill their roles?    

Air Power and its use

That leaves the third side of the triad – military.     

How were the 15 days (from 22 Apr 25 to 07 May 25) used to prepare for a strong and fitting response? What really happened in the corridors of South Block that needed pausing and recalibrating our tactics after 07 May 25, as admitted by none less than the CDS?    

Will the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth be told or will the report on Op Sindoor be consigned to the archives and remain hidden for posterity like the Henderson- Brooks report on the 1962 skirmishes? 

The Future 

But more important is whether present and future officers and commanders of the Armed Forces be apprised in classified modules in Defence Services Staff College, Higher Command Courses at the Army War College, Naval War College and College of Air Warfare as well as the course on Strategy at National Defence College so as to be able to discuss lessons learnt in Op Sindoor so that our strategy and tactics can be improved for the operations in future C4IS environment?             

Jai Hind