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How India’s S-400 Shot Down Pakistan’s Saab 2000 AEW&C – A Minute-by-Minute Timeline 1. On May 8, 2025, during India’s Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force achieved a historic feat by using its S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system to shoot down a Pakistan Air Force Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft at a record-breaking range of 314 kilometers. This marked the longest confirmed SAM kill in combat history, showcasing the S-400’s advanced capabilities and India’s layered air defence strategy. Below is a minute-by-minute timeline of how this high-stakes engagement likely unfolded, based on the S-400’s operational mechanics and the context of Operation Sindoor. T-10:00 (22:50 IST, May 8, 2025) – Detection and Tracking Location: An S-400 battery commanded by Group Captain Animesh Patni is positioned near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab or Rajasthan. It is on high alert as part of Operation Sindoor, following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Action: The S-400’s 91N6E Big Bird radar, capable of detecting targets up to 600 km away, identifies a high-value airborne target – a PAF Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C – operating approximately 314 km away, deep within Pakistani airspace near Dinga, Punjab. The radar’s high-resolution tracking confirms the aircraft’s altitude (around 8-10 km) and slow cruising speed (typical for AEW&C platforms). Context: The Saab 2000, equipped with the Erieye radar, is a critical asset for the PAF, providing real-time situational awareness and directing fighter operations. Its presence suggests Pakistan is coordinating a response to Indian strikes. The IAF, aware of its strategic importance, prioritises it as a target.