In the wake of the recent Pakistan-India conflict, the world is abuzz with admiration for the astonishing performance of Pakistan’s armed forces, particularly the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), which has earned global recognition for its tactical brilliance and aerial supremacy.
After weeks of praise from defence analysts and leading British publications, the latest salute comes from none other than the prestigious U.S.-based journal The National Interest, which openly acknowledged Pakistan’s military edge and warned India against underestimating its smaller but far more agile neighbour.
“Wars are often born out of arrogance and miscalculation,” wrote The National Interest, sharply criticising India’s failure to provide evidence for the Pahalgam attack before launching its assault. The magazine highlighted that despite India’s mix of cutting-edge European and Russian weapons, it was Pakistan, reportedly armed with Chinese and Turkish support, that emerged as the superior force.
In a detailed analysis, the journal commended the PAF for not only thwarting India’s initial airstrikes but also for launching a stunning counter-operation that resulted in the downing of five Indian fighter jets, including the much-vaunted Rafales.
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The report drew attention to a critical gap in India’s military readiness: subpar pilot training. It cited poor flight preparedness as a key factor in India’s aerial losses and called the destruction of its modern warplanes a “devastating blow to New Delhi’s military reputation.”
Military experts echoed similar sentiments, crediting Pakistan’s edge to its battle-hardened pilots with extensive experience in counter-terrorism operations along the Afghan border. According to analysts, this real-world exposure has forged a formidable fighting force unmatched in the region.
The piece also pointed out India’s growing diplomatic isolation. Despite being a long-time ally, even Russia chose silence during the conflict, a stark reminder of India’s increasingly precarious foreign policy footing.
As accolades pour in and headlines shift from New Delhi to Islamabad, one thing is clear: the Pakistan Air Force has shattered long-held myths and proven that size isn’t strength, skill is.
