Serial Numbers Of IAF Rafale Jets, PAF Downed in May 2025

Tuesday, 16 December 2025 | Web Desk

Recently published findings by a prominent British defense journal (Key-Aero) have brought to light specific details regarding aircraft losses allegedly suffered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) during an aerial engagement with Pakistan in May 2025. The investigative report from the journal claims that four of India’s advanced Dassault Rafale multi-role fighter jets were shot down during the conflict.

According to the report, the destroyed Rafale aircraft bore the serial numbers BS001, BS021, BS022, and BS027. The publication asserts that it has independently verified these tail numbers, contrasting India’s official position, which continues to deny the loss of any Rafale aircraft in the encounter.

The report provides a broader narrative of the engagement, stating that Pakistani pilots effectively executed multi-domain operations, which “paralyzed” the IAF’s response capabilities. Beyond the four Rafales, the alleged Indian losses included MiG-29 and Su-30 fighter jets, as well as Heron drones.

The timeline detailed in the report suggests a comprehensive Pakistani operation. On May 10th, a Pakistani JF-17 C Block 3 aircraft reportedly destroyed a Russian-made S-400 air defense system stationed in Udhampur. Additionally, a key Indian Command and Control center in Barnala was said to have been neutralized by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

A significant highlight of the report is the claim of a successful, integrated cyber warfare campaign. It states that Pakistani cyber units disrupted approximately 96% of India’s social networks and digital military systems. This, the report notes, marked the first time in aerial warfare history that cyber and traditional kinetic military actions were so seamlessly combined in a single operation.

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The report references the historical context of the 2019 engagement, known as Operation Swift Retort, where the PAF previously shot down an Indian MiG-21 Bison and captured its pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was later repatriated.