Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Major clarification has emerged regarding India’s Rafale fighter jets after Pakistan’s claims of shooting them down during Operation Sindoor. French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation has categorically stated that Pakistan did not shoot down any Indian Rafale jets.
Technical Malfunction, Not Enemy Action
French aviation website Avion De Chasse quoted Dassault Aviation’s Chairman and CEO, Eric Trappier, confirming that a Rafale jet did suffer a technical malfunction at high altitude and crashed, but no jets were shot down during the India-Pakistan conflict. Earlier, India’s Defence Secretary R.K. Singh, in an interview, dismissed reports that Rafale jets were lost during Operation Sindoor. “You’re using ‘Rafales’ in plural. Let me assure you that is not true,” he said.
China’s Alleged Disinformation Campaign
Dassault Aviation has accused China of orchestrating a disinformation campaign following the military standoff between India and Pakistan in May. According to the company, Chinese embassies were tasked with spreading confusion about the Rafale’s combat performance to damage its reputation and affect sales.
The Associated Press, citing a French intelligence report, revealed that Chinese defence attachés in various embassies actively campaigned to discourage countries that had already ordered Rafale jets. Notably, there was an effort to influence Indonesia to cancel its Rafale deal and instead opt for Chinese-made aircraft. A French military official, speaking anonymously, shared this information with AP.
Pakistan’s Claims Spark Global Concerns
Pakistan’s assertion that its air force had shot down five Indian aircraft—including three Rafales—raised concerns among nations that have purchased Dassault’s fighters. French officials acknowledged that these claims prompted questions about Rafale’s performance in the countries that have procured or planned to procure the jets.
