Operation Sindoor: IAF Used Dummy Jets to Cripple Pakistan’s Chinese-Made Air Defences

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 In a stunning display of strategic deception, the Indian Air Force (IAF) used dummy aircraft camouflaged as fighter jets to bait and disable Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defence systems during Operation Sindoor, the coordinated military response to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22.

Operation Sindoor: IAF Used Dummy Jets to Cripple Pakistan’s Chinese-Made Air Defences
Operation Sindoor: IAF Used Dummy Jets to Cripple Pakistan’s Chinese-Made Air Defences
According to a report by ANI citing high-level defence sources, the operation showcased a mix of precision firepower and tactical misdirection that caught Pakistan’s military off guard. The Indian response targeted nine terrorist launchpads across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)—but it was the initial bait-and-strike maneuver that set the tone for the entire offensive.

Dummy Jets Confuse Pakistan’s HQ-9 Missile Systems

On the night of May 9–10, the IAF launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) disguised as fighter jets to simulate an air assault. These decoys triggered Pakistan’s HQ-9 missile systems—Chinese-origin air defence platforms—forcing them to activate radar and missile batteries prematurely.

This maneuver not only revealed the exact location of Pakistan's air defence installations but also weakened their ability to intercept the actual strikes that followed. Many HQ-9 systems had been repositioned but were quickly identified once they became active.

Precision Strikes on 11 Pakistani Air Bases

Following the successful deception, the IAF carried out a coordinated missile barrage on 11 of 12 major Pakistani air bases. The attack featured a mix of long-range and precision-guided weapons, including 15 BrahMos missiles, along with Scalp, Rampage, and Crystal Maze missiles.

The offensive inflicted significant damage to:

  • Runways and airstrips

  • Aircraft hangars

  • Radar and communication infrastructure

  • An airborne early warning system aircraft

  • Long-endurance drones stationed in Sindh

According to defence officials, this marked the first known operational use of the BrahMos missile system in active combat.

Pakistan’s Scramble and Ceasefire Appeal

The intensity and precision of the Indian strikes reportedly left Pakistan’s air defences overwhelmed. The Pakistan Air Force, unable to mount an effective counterattack, abandoned retaliation plans and instead pushed for Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks, seeking to establish an informal ceasefire.

Mission Execution and Defence Coordination

The IAF’s mission was primarily coordinated through the Western Air Command and Southwestern Air Command, which oversaw aircraft deployment and missile targeting. On the defensive front, India’s own airspace was protected by systems including:

  • Russian-origin S-400

  • Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM)

  • Akash air defence systems

  • Legacy anti-air platforms

These systems effectively neutralised Pakistan's retaliatory attempts using land-attack ballistic missiles, air-launched cruise missiles, and combat drones.

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