Pakistan’s F-16 has long been considered one of the crown jewels of the Pakistan Air Force. But a retired PAF Air Commodore has now highlighted a major limitation exposed during Operation Sindoor: beyond-visual-range missile reach. Kaiser Tufail says Pakistan’s F-16s, armed largely with older AIM-120C-5 AMRAAMs, faced a disadvantage against longer-range weapons in the battlespace, affecting how the aircraft could be employed. India’s Rafale carries the Meteor, whose ramjet propulsion gives it a formidable no-escape zone in long-range combat. Pakistan’s newer J-10CE, armed with China’s PL-15E, therefore assumed greater importance. Shreya Chandra breaks down the F-16’s BVR problem, why missile range can matter more than fighter reputation, and what Operation Sindoor teaches India about Meteor, Astra and the rapidly changing long-range air battle.