The claims have grave implications for India. It has modernised its forces in the past decade by buying 62 Rafales and is considering buying more. Pakistan, meanwhile, has added 150 JF -17 fighters, most jointly made with China, since 2007 and has bought 20 J -10 C s since 2022.

A low-quality image of an Indian fighter jet engulfed in flames after crashing in September 2024 has been falsely claimed online to show an Indian jet downed amid escalated tensions between India and Pakistan in May 2025.

China's J-10C fighter was deployed by Pakistan against India this week and may become a "very viable competitor" to western rivals, one expert said.

Wing Commander Abhinandan was first taken by the Indian Air Force’s medical team for a thorough check-up after returning from Pakistan

Pakistan's air combat tech outpaced India in recent skirmish, with Chinese-backed integration proving game-changing.

Pakistan said it shot down five Indian fighter jets, which it identified as French- and Russian-origin fighter aircraft.

Pakistan said Chinese fighter jets were used to respond to military strikes by India and that it has kept Beijing fully informed of its action as tensions in the disputed Kashmir region escalate.

Open-source information suggests that the Indian Air Force likely suffered damage during the attack, potentially including the loss of several aircraft.

Chinese defence firm Avic Chengdu Aircraft, the maker of J-10 fighter jets which were used by Pakistan against India during the conflict, has seen its share price crashing almost 12 per cent