The rivalry between India and Pakistan has resulted in several military confrontations since their independence in 1947. A critical component of India’s military success in these wars has been its air power. The Indian Air Force (IAF), one of the world’s most capable air forces, has deployed some of its finest fighter jets during confrontations with Pakistan. From classic dogfights in the 1965 and 1971 wars to the surgical Balakot airstrike in 2019, India’s fighter jets have played a pivotal role.
In this article, we explore the best fighter jets used by India in wars against Pakistan, covering aircraft that have not only shaped aerial battles but also defined India’s air supremacy in South Asia.
Table of Contents:
- India vs Pakistan: An Overview of Aerial Conflicts
- Top Fighter Jets Used by India in Past Wars
- Hawker Hunter
- Folland Gnat
- MiG-21
- Sukhoi Su-30MKI
- Mirage 2000
- HAL Tejas (LCA)
- Rafale
- Comparison With Pakistan’s Fighters
- Strategic Role of Air Power in Indo-Pak Conflicts
- Conclusion
India vs Pakistan: An Overview of Aerial Conflicts
India and Pakistan have fought four major wars and several skirmishes. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has seen significant combat during:
- First Indo-Pak War (1947-48) – Limited air engagement
- Second War (1965) – First full-scale air combat
- Third War (1971) – India’s decisive aerial superiority
- Kargil War (1999) – Precision strikes in high altitude
- Balakot Airstrike (2019) – Non-war air operation deep inside Pakistan
Each conflict witnessed the deployment of India’s top fighter aircraft of the time, with newer jets gradually replacing older platforms.
1. Hawker Hunter – The Star of the 1965 War
The Hawker Hunter, a British jet, was one of India’s most advanced fighters during the 1965 Indo-Pak war.
Key Features:
- Speed: 1,150 km/h
- Weapons: Four 30mm cannons, bombs, rockets
- Range: 3,000 km (with drop tanks)
Role in War:
The Hunter was India’s backbone in ground attack and close air support. In the famous Battle of Chamb-Jaurian, Hunters destroyed several Pakistani tanks and troops. It was especially feared by the Pakistan Army for its accuracy and endurance.
2. Folland Gnat – The “Sabre Slayer”
Nicknamed the “Sabre Slayer”, the Folland Gnat was small, agile, and deadly – ideal for dogfights.
Key Features:
- Speed: 1,100 km/h
- Armament: Twin 30mm ADEN cannons
- Agility: Extremely maneuverable in close combat
Role in War:
During the 1965 war, Gnats outperformed the American-supplied F-86 Sabres used by Pakistan. Notably, Gnat pilots shot down several Sabres in air-to-air combat, earning the jet legendary status in the IAF.
3. MiG-21 – The Supersonic Workhorse
The MiG-21, supplied by the Soviet Union, became India’s first supersonic jet fighter and the backbone of the IAF for decades.
Key Features:
- Speed: Mach 2.05 (2,175 km/h)
- Weapons: Missiles and 23mm cannons
- Versatility: Used in interception, air superiority, and ground attack
Role in Wars:
- 1971 War: MiG-21s conducted bombing missions over Pakistan, destroyed airfields, and shot down enemy fighters.
- Kargil War (1999): MiG-21s were used for bombing Pakistani positions.
- Balakot Airstrike (2019): A MiG-21 Bison piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman famously shot down a Pakistani F-16 before being downed.
Though aging, the MiG-21 has proven its value in every India-Pakistan conflict.
4. Sukhoi Su-30MKI – The Air Superiority Titan
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI, a 4.5 generation multirole air dominance fighter, is one of the most powerful aircraft in Asia.
Key Features:
- Speed: Mach 2.0
- Range: 3,000+ km (without refueling)
- Avionics: Israeli and French systems, thrust-vectoring engines
- Payload: 8,000 kg of weapons
Role in Pakistan-Related Operations:
While the Sukhoi has not been involved in traditional wars against Pakistan, it has frequently patrolled the Line of Control (LoC) and Line of Actual Control (LAC). It provides deterrence and deep-strike capability and was deployed in forward bases during the Balakot crisis.
Its ability to carry BrahMos missiles makes it a strategic game-changer in any future Indo-Pak war.
5. Mirage 2000 – Hero of Kargil and Balakot
The Mirage 2000, developed by France’s Dassault Aviation, became one of India’s most trusted strike aircraft.
Key Features:
- Speed: Mach 2.2
- Weapons: Precision-guided bombs, MICA missiles, laser bombs
- Avionics: Advanced radar and electronic warfare systems
Role in Conflicts:
- Kargil War (1999): Mirage 2000s carried out precision strikes on high-altitude enemy bunkers using laser-guided bombs – a turning point in the war.
- Balakot Airstrike (2019): Mirage 2000s were chosen to strike Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camps in Balakot, Pakistan, using Israeli Spice-2000 bombs. The mission was a major success and showcased India’s long-range strike ability.
Mirage 2000 remains one of the most celebrated jets in Indian Air Force history.
6. HAL Tejas – India’s Indigenous Jet
The HAL Tejas, a 4.5-generation multirole light combat aircraft, is India’s first indigenous fighter jet, designed by DRDO and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Key Features:
- Speed: Mach 1.8
- Avionics: Fly-by-wire system, multi-mode radar
- Weapons: Air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, laser-guided bombs
Strategic Importance:
While it has not yet been deployed in an Indo-Pak war, the Tejas is now being inducted in large numbers to replace older MiG-21s. It symbolizes India’s aerospace self-reliance and is likely to play a frontline role in any future conflict with Pakistan.
7. Rafale – India’s Latest Air Dominance Asset
The Dassault Rafale, a French 4.5-gen twin-engine multirole fighter, is India’s most modern and advanced fighter aircraft as of 2024.
Key Features:
- Speed: Mach 1.8+
- Combat Range: 3,700+ km
- Weapons: Meteor (beyond-visual-range missiles), SCALP cruise missile, HAMMER bombs
- Avionics: AESA radar, SPECTRA electronic warfare suite
Deployment:
Rafales have been strategically deployed at Ambala and Hasimara airbases, covering both Pakistan and China fronts. Though not yet used in battle, their presence alone has significantly tilted the regional air power balance in India’s favor.
Pakistan’s Fighter Jet Response
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) uses:
- F-16 Fighting Falcons (from the U.S.)
- JF-17 Thunder (jointly developed with China)
- Mirage III/V (older French jets)
While Pakistan’s F-16s are capable and were used during the 2019 skirmish, India’s Mirage 2000s and Su-30MKIs outclass them in radar, weapon range, and avionics. The JF-17, though cost-effective, does not match the capability of India’s Rafale or Su-30MKI.
Strategic Role of Indian Fighter Jets in Indo-Pak Conflicts
Indian fighter jets have played key roles in:
- Air dominance and airspace control
- Precision bombing of strategic targets
- Intercepting enemy aircraft
- Close air support to ground troops
- Psychological deterrence through air shows of force
The effectiveness of the Indian Air Force, particularly its fighter fleet, has often turned the tide in India’s favor during conflicts with Pakistan.
Conclusion: India’s Air Superiority Over Pakistan
From the Gnats of 1965 to the Rafales of 2024, India has consistently invested in modernizing its air force. Each new generation of fighter jets has not only improved India’s combat capability but also served as a deterrent against aggression.
Top Fighter Jets in India-Pakistan Conflicts:
| War | Top Indian Fighter Jets Used |
|---|---|
| 1965 | Hawker Hunter, Gnat |
| 1971 | MiG-21, Sukhoi Su-7 |
| 1999 (Kargil) | Mirage 2000 |
| 2019 (Balakot) | Mirage 2000, MiG-21 Bison |
| Future | Rafale, HAL Tejas |
India’s diverse and technologically superior air fleet gives it a significant edge over Pakistan, both in war and peacetime deterrence.