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Rafale Jets Were "Hero" in Op Sindoor: IAF Vice Chief on 2025 Strikes

Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor declared the Rafale fighter jet was the "hero" during Operation Sindoor, India's 2025 precision strikes against terror launchpads in Pakistan. The operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Kapoor stated that every act of terror will be met with a response, a message that will be echoed in the upcoming Exercise Vayu Shakti 2026 firepower demonstration. The IAF is also looking forward to inducting more Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft, with the Rafale being a leading contender.

Key Points: IAF: Rafale was hero in Op Sindoor, more jets planned

  • Rafale pivotal in Op Sindoor strikes
  • IAF aims to induct more fighter jets
  • Op Sindoor responded to Pahalgam terror attack
  • Vayu Shakti 2026 to showcase capabilities
2 min read

"Rafale was hero during Op Sindoor": Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor

IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor calls Rafale jets the hero of Operation Sindoor, details 2025 strikes on terror camps, and previews Vayu Shakti 2026.

"Rafale was definitely the hero during Operation Sindoor. - Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor"

New Delhi, February 11

Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor on Wednesday said that Rafale fighter jets were the "hero" during Operation Sindoor, and that the Indian Air Force aims to induct more Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft.

Addressing a gathering at the unveiling ceremony of Exercise Vayu Shakti 2026, Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor said that every act of terror will be responded to. He added that the glimpses of Operation Sindoor will be displayed for the public during Exercise Vayu Shakti in Jaisalmer.

The Vice Chief of Air Staff said, "Rafale was definitely the hero during Operation Sindoor. Indian Air Force is looking forward to inducting more MRFA, which is going to be Rafale or any other, which are under deliberations, and a concrete decision has yet to be taken."

"The message from Operation Sindoor was clear that terrorism will not be tolerated. Every act of terror conducted on our soil will be responded to, and there will be a price to pay. You will get glimpses (of Operation Sindoor) of precise targeting (during Exercise Vayu Shakti 2026)... Our work is to hold a demonstration. It is up to those seeing this demonstration to take the message they want from it," he added.

India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which took away the lives of 26 individuals. India and Pakistan entered a four-day conflict following India's precision strikes, destroying nine major terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), targeting Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen facilities and killing over 100 terrorists in action.

According to the Defence Ministry, inflicted by this heavy damage, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called the Indian DGMO and a ceasefire was agreed with effect from 5 pm on May 10, 2025.

Indian Air Force bypassed and jammed Pakistan's Chinese-supplied air defence systems, completing the mission in just 23 minutes using Rafale jets, SCALP missiles, and HAMMER bombs, the ministry said.

Indian Air Force will hold Exercise Vayu Shakti 2026, a firepower demonstration at Pokhran, near Jaisalmer, on February 27. Earlier today, Indian Air Force shared a glimpse of the exercise.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While I support a strong defense, I hope the focus remains on preventing such attacks in the first place through better intelligence and diplomacy. The loss of 26 lives in Pahalgam was tragic.
V
Vikram M
Jamming Chinese-supplied systems in 23 minutes? That's some serious tech superiority. Shows the importance of investing in modern equipment. Can't wait to see the Vayu Shakti demonstration!
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Priya S
The message is clear and it needed to be sent. Our forces have shown remarkable restraint and precision. My heart goes out to the families of the Pahalgam victims. This response was for them.
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Rohit P
Good to see the Rafale delivering. But we must also speed up the development of our own TEJAS MK-2 and AMCA. Atmanirbharta in defense is the ultimate goal.
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Michael C
A precise military operation that achieved its objectives and led to a ceasefire. This is how modern conflicts should be managed - with clear goals and minimal escalation. A textbook case.

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