A video circulating online claims that Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, the Chief of the Air Staff, admitted that India lost two S-400 air defence systems during its conflict with Pakistan in May 2025.
In the clip, the IAF chief is purportedly heard saying:
“…The enemy used to spot our weapon through its satellite and after that, if we throw the weapon at its coordinates, our system had already moved from there before that… But our operators forgot to move them. It was a misjudgment on their part. Because of this, we had to bear the loss of 2 S-400 batteries. But there is nothing to worry about…”
Also Read: Did CDS General Anil Chauhan Admit To India Losing 4 Rafale Jets During Operation Sindoor?
Evidence
No credible reporting
Searches for “IAF Chief” and “S-400” produced no credible news reports confirming the alleged statement. Official Indian Air Force social media accounts also carried no such information.
Original Video
Reverse image search of keyframes traced back to a Facebook post by The Economic Times, dated September 19, 2025. The post shows the IAF Chief in the same setting but makes no mention of S-400 losses.
In the authentic footage, Singh said:
“…because of its high mobility, it could shift and we could beat the targeting cycle of the enemy. The enemy used to spot our weapon through their radar, through their satellite and after that, if we throw the weapon at their coordinates, before that our system had already moved from there. So 2-4 weapons have fallen at such places where our system was earlier. So it was very important that we had this type of weapon system…”
The full livestream of his Annual General Meeting speech on September 19, 2025 also does not include the alleged remark.
Evidence of manipulation
- Voice change detected between 0:25–0:47 in the viral clip.
- Visual discrepancies such as distorted insignia, altered nameplate, and a missing shirt mark.
- AI-detection tools flagged the clip: Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector marked it as “likely deepfake,” and Resemble AI confirmed the audio was fake.
Official clarifications and rebuttals
The Indian authorities previously (in May 2025) addressed such claims, noting that reports of damage to strategic equipment are baseless. Claims about the destruction of S-400 systems have circulated since Operation Sindoor, but none have been substantiated.
- PIB Fact Check stated, “Reports of destruction or any damage to an S-400 system are baseless.”
- Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said, “Pakistan claimed that it damaged our S-400 and BrahMos missile base with its JF 17, which is completely wrong…”
Verdict
The viral video showing Air Chief Marshal AP Singh allegedly admitting the loss of two S-400 systems is false. The clip is digitally manipulated, and there is no official confirmation or credible report supporting the claim.
FAQs
Q1: Is the viral video of Air Chief Marshal AP Singh AP Singh authentic?
No. Analysis shows audio manipulation, visual discrepancies, and AI deepfake markers in the viral clip.
Q2: How can viewers verify similar claims?
Cross-check videos with credible media or official sources, watch full official livestreams, and use AI/video detection tools if needed.
Q3: Are deepfakes common in military misinformation?
Yes. Deepfakes are increasingly used to spread false narratives, making it essential to verify content before sharing.
Sources
Facebook Post By The Economic Times, Dated September 19, 2025
YouTube Video By ANI, Dated September 19, 2025
Resemble AI Website
Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector
X Post By PIB Fact Check, Dated May 10, 2025
