Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Friday flatly rejected Pakistan’s repeated assertions that its forces shot down Indian fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, calling such claims “Manohar Kahaniyan” (fanciful stories) and saying Islamabad has shown no evidence to back its narrative. Speaking at a press conference to mark the 93rd Indian Air Force Day in the national capital, the IAF chief also outlined timelines for India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), discussed options for future fighter acquisitions and asserted that Indian forces possess the capability to strike accurately deep inside enemy territory if credible intelligence is available.
Pakistan’s claims met with scepticism
Singh made clear that Pakistan’s public statements — that multiple Indian aircraft were shot down during post-Pahalgam operations codenamed Operation Sindoor — lacked visual proof. “Have you seen a single picture where something fell on any of our airbases, something hit us, a hangar was destroyed or anything like that? We showed so many pictures of their places. However, they couldn’t show us even a single picture. So their narrative is ‘Manohar Kahaniyan’,” he said, adding that such fabrications are designed “to save face” and mislead a domestic audience.
He appeared to mock Pakistan’s repeated tallies, saying wryly that if Islamabad believed it had downed “15 of my jets”, the adversary could take consolation in imagining India now had 15 fewer aircraft. “If they think they shot down 15 of my jets, let them think about it. I hope they’re convinced about it, and they will cater for 15 less aircraft in my inventory when they come to fight again. So why should I talk about it?” he said.
AMCA timeline and modernisation priorities
Turning to indigenous capability, the IAF chief reiterated confidence in the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme. He said the first flight for AMCA is expected around 2028, with the aircraft slated for induction by about 2035 — a timeline he described as achievable, possibly even accelerated if the programme receives rigorous focus.
“As I understand, it is going to fly in this decade, in 2028, somewhere that is the first flight planned and by 2035, it is supposed to be inducted and operationalised in the Indian Air Force as of now… So I personally feel this timeline can be achieved, or maybe even better, if people really want to do it,” Singh told reporters. He added that the technology roadmap for AMCA is “fairly clear” and the Air Force knows what it requires and where the technologies can be sourced.
Su‑57, Rafale and the induction process
On immediate fighter requirements, Singh underlined that New Delhi will follow a strict procurement and induction process. “All options, including the Su‑57 and Rafale, will be considered through a strict induction process, with preference given to aircraft that meet India’s requirements and offer technology transfer and manufacturing freedom,” he said.
Singh noted that the Rafale had earlier emerged as the best-suited option during the former MMRCA (Medium Multi‑Role Combat Aircraft) evaluation. “As far as SU‑57 is concerned, I just want to say that we have to weigh all the options… We have a very set process of induction of any weapon system, and that process will be followed. So what comes will depend on what meets the requirement and what is best for us,” he said, reiterating that transfer of technology and ability to manufacture in India will be key decision parameters.
Precision targeting and counter‑terror options
Responding to questions about reports that terrorist groups were building headquarters inside Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Singh said India now has the capability to strike hideouts accurately if reliable intelligence is available. He said militant groups are likely to adopt smaller, more dispersed hideouts to evade targeting, but added: “If intelligence is available, then we now have the capability to go deep inside any of their hideouts with absolutely accurate targeting. We can destroy them and their hideouts. So, our options have not changed. Our options will remain the same in this matter.”
Air Force Day reflections and morale
While addressing personnel and media on IAF Day, Singh lauded the service’s operational preparedness and the professionalism of its air warriors. He declined to disclose operational details about recent strikes or damage assessments, emphasising that public claims by adversaries do not merit a response if they lack verifiable evidence.
Conclusion
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh’s remarks on the 93rd IAF Day combined a blunt rebuttal to Pakistani claims with a firm reiteration of India’s long‑term defence roadmap. By branding Islamabad’s accounts as “manohar kahaniyan”, the IAF chief signalled a refusal to be drawn into a tit‑for‑tat diplomatic dispute while highlighting indigenous efforts such as AMCA and insisting on technology transfer and manufacturing autonomy in future procurements. At the same time, his comments on precision targeting underscored that India retains a range of options to neutralise threats if actionable intelligence is provided.