The US State Department has declined to confirm or deny reports of Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jet losses during Operation Sindoor, an intense 88-hour conflict between India and Pakistan from May 7 to May 10, 2025. When queried by NDTV, the State Department responded with a curt, “We refer you to the Government of Pakistan to discuss its F-16s,” sidestepping direct answers about the status of Pakistan’s US-supplied aircraft. This refusal to comment contrasts with the US’s continuous oversight of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, maintained through Technical Support Teams (TSTs), US contractors stationed in Pakistan 24/7 to monitor the jets under strict end-use agreements.
US Oversight of Pakistan’s F-16 Fleet
The United States maintains detailed knowledge of Pakistan’s F-16s through TSTs, which operate under agreements that define how these jets can be used in combat. These teams ensure compliance with conditions that allow Pakistan to receive ongoing US support for maintaining its fleet of approximately 75 F-16s, out of a total air force of around 410 aircraft. The agreements restrict the jets’ use primarily to counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, raising questions about whether their deployment during Operation Sindoor adhered to these terms. The presence of TSTs at key bases, including Shahbaz Jacobabad airfield, suggests the US would be aware of any losses or damage to the aircraft, making their silence notable.
Indian Claims and Pakistani Denials
India’s military leadership has claimed significant damage to Pakistan’s air capabilities during Operation Sindoor. Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal AP Singh stated that the IAF targeted three key hangars, including one at Jacobabad, which housed F-16s under maintenance. “One half of the hangar is gone. And I’m sure there were some aircraft inside which have got damaged there,” Singh said. The IAF further claims to have shot down six Pakistani aircraft, including five fighters and one large aircraft, possibly an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) or Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) platform.
Pakistan, however, has rejected these claims. Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif challenged India to allow independent verification of aircraft inventories, suggesting that India’s assertions may be exaggerated. “If the truth is in question, let both sides open their aircraft inventories to independent verification,” Asif stated, implying that such an exercise would reveal the true extent of losses. Pakistan has also made counterclaims about downing Indian jets, though these remain unverified.
Speculation on US Technical Support Teams
The heavy strikes on Jacobabad airfield, a key F-16 base, have raised unconfirmed speculation about the safety of US Technical Support Teams stationed there. Given their round-the-clock presence to monitor the jets, the possibility that US contractors were caught in the attacks cannot be dismissed, though no official reports have confirmed casualties. The US State Department’s refusal to comment on the F-16s’ status may reflect sensitivity around the potential involvement of American personnel in a conflict zone, especially given the delicate nature of US-Pakistan military cooperation.
Contrast with 2019 Balakot Response
The US’s current stance differs from its response in 2019, following India’s airstrikes on the Balakot terror facility. At that time, US officials told Foreign Policy Magazine that a physical count of Pakistan’s F-16s found none missing, directly countering India’s claim of downing one. The Biden administration’s decision to avoid similar clarity now, despite having real-time data from TSTs, suggests a cautious approach, possibly to avoid escalating tensions or revealing sensitive operational details.
Broader Context and Implications
Operation Sindoor, marked by intense aerial and ground engagements, has reignited debates about the use of US-supplied military equipment in India-Pakistan conflicts. The US’s $450 million deal in 2022 to enhance Pakistan’s F-16 capabilities, reversing earlier restrictions under the Trump administration, underscores the strategic importance of this fleet. However, posts on X have highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing maintenance challenges with its F-16s, suggesting that losses in Operation Sindoor could exacerbate an existing crisis and potentially force Pakistan to phase out the jets.
The US’s refusal to engage with questions about F-16 losses, combined with the presence of TSTs and the possibility of American personnel being affected, adds layers of complexity to an already tense regional situation. As both India and Pakistan trade claims and counterclaims, the lack of transparency from Washington leaves open questions about the true toll of Operation Sindoor and its implications for US-Pakistan relations.
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