Austrian military aviation expert Tom Cooper Hails IAF’s S-400 Operation as “Historic”

By A Staff Reporter

Austrian military aviation analyst Tom Cooper has described the reported downing of five Pakistani fighter jets by the Indian Air Force’s S-400 missile system during Operation Sindoor as a “historic” feat. The claim follows confirmation by the IAF chief, marking the first official acknowledgment of the incident.

Cooper noted that independent assessments earlier this year had already indicated the loss of multiple Pakistani aircraft, including some reportedly destroyed on the ground, though there had been no prior confirmation from Indian authorities. He said the latest statement validates earlier conclusions made by defence analysts in May.

According to Cooper, the operation was a success at multiple levels—tactical, operational, and strategic. He highlighted the significance of achieving such results at a range of over 300 kilometres, calling it unprecedented in modern aerial warfare involving South Asia.

Addressing separate remarks by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, who made a nuclear threat amid heightened tensions, Cooper dismissed the rhetoric as unproductive. He likened recent exchanges between Islamabad and Washington to “childish” boasts, suggesting such statements have little bearing on serious strategic policy.