In just 87 hours, South Asia witnessed one of the most intense military escalations in recent years. The India Pakistan war cost both countries billions in just 87 hours. At 1:05 a.m. on May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor. Rafale fighter jets, equipped with Scalp cruise missiles and precision bombs, struck nine civilian sites in Pakistan. This marked the beginning of a rapid and costly conflict.
India used Israeli-made Harop and Skystriker drones to scout Pakistan’s air defences. These drones mapped radar systems and searched for weak points. The aim was to expose gaps in Pakistan’s air shield.
Pakistan Air Force deployed J-10C fighter jets, armed with PL-15 long-range missiles. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) used Koral electronic warfare systems to jam Indian systems and support its operations.
In a historic move, the PAF claimed to have shot down three Rafale jets between 1:05 and 1:30 a.m. on May 7, the first confirmed Rafale losses in combat. Pakistan also destroyed 12 Indian drones using anti-aircraft artillery, missiles, and ECM tools.
The air war continued until May 10. In total, the conflict lasted 87 hours and 25 minutes. But the damage wasn’t limited to the skies.
India’s Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex markets lost a combined $82 billion. Airspace closures led to $8 million in daily aviation losses. The Indian Premier League (IPL) halted, costing $50 million. Military operations and lost aircraft added another $500 million.
Trade disruptions added a further $2 billion. In total, India lost about $83 billion.
On the other side, Pakistan’s KSE-100 index dropped 4.1%, wiping out $2.5 billion. Airspace closures cost $20 million, while the suspended Pakistan Super League (PSL) led to $10 million in losses. Military and drone operations cost $325 million. Pakistan’s total losses reached an estimated $4 billion.
This brief war exposed how modern conflicts hurt economies faster than armies. Jets, drones, and missiles caused real damage — but stock markets, aviation, and investor trust suffered more.
The India Pakistan war cost over $87 billion in just 87 hours. The 87- hour clash proves one thing: in today’s world, even a short war can leave long-lasting scars. This conflict underscores how the true cost of modern warfare is measured not just by the weapons used but by the economic damage that ripples across entire nations.
