Ending days of speculation, Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier has officially clarified that no Rafale fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was shot down by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. He confirmed that only one Rafale was lost, and that too due to a technical malfunction, not hostile action.
The clarification comes amid persistent claims by Pakistan that it downed multiple IAF jets, including three Rafales—claims now thoroughly debunked by both Indian and French authorities.
What Dassault CEO Said
In a statement published by French defence outlets and later confirmed by Indian media, Éric Trappier said:
“There was a loss of one aircraft at around 12,000 meters. However, our SPECTRA system did not detect any radar lock or missile engagement. It was a technical issue, not a combat loss.”
A formal technical investigation is now underway, jointly conducted by the IAF and Dassault.
India’s Stand: No Rafale Lost in Combat
India has denied all Pakistani claims of shooting down any aircraft during Operation Sindoor. Speaking to the media earlier, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan and Defence Secretary R.K. Singh maintained that while India did suffer limited losses, none of them included Rafales being downed in battle.
According to Indian officials:
- The lost Rafale went down during a training or tactical maneuver, not due to enemy action.
- The IAF was under strict operational restraint and did not engage Pakistani military targets directly, which might have impacted early air superiority moves.
Pakistan’s Claim & the Propaganda Battle
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has continued to push the narrative that it downed multiple Indian jets, releasing low-resolution visuals and alleged cockpit intercepts.
However:
- No third-party validation of their claim has emerged.
- No satellite imagery, wreckage proof, or radar logs confirm Pakistan’s version.
- The Rafale’s defensive suite SPECTRA, considered among the world’s best, did not record any threat warning on the lost aircraft.
Disinformation Campaign: French Intel Points to China
In a significant revelation, French intelligence agencies have concluded that a coordinated disinformation campaign was likely orchestrated by Chinese embassies and social media channels. The goal:
- Undermine Rafale’s global reputation
- Boost export prospects for Chinese fighter jets (like the J‑10C)
- Influence countries like Indonesia, Colombia, and Malaysia currently weighing procurement decisions
Tactics used:
- AI-generated crash visuals
- Fake radar data
- Meme-based virality on Telegram, WeChat, and Twitter/X
