Dassault CEO Rejects Pakistan’s Claims of Downed Rafales During Operation Sindoor
New Delhi | June 15, 2025 — Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier has firmly rejected Pakistan’s assertion that it shot down three Indian Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. In an exclusive interview with Challenges magazine just ahead of the Paris Air Show, Trappier described the claims as “fundamentally false.”
“What Pakistan is claiming about downing three Rafales is simply not true,” Trappier said. “Dassault has not received any official communication from the Indian Air Force indicating losses of this nature.”
“What we already know is that what the Pakistanis are saying about destroying three Rafale planes is inaccurate. When the complete details are known, the reality may surprise many.”
The Rafale, hailed by Trappier as a versatile multirole fighter, is capable of air-to-air combat, ground strikes, reconnaissance, and even nuclear deterrence, with carrier-based deployment capabilities.
“If you want a single aircraft capable of air‑to‑air combat, reconnaissance, ground strikes, nuclear deterrence, and aircraft carrier deployment, Rafale is unmatched,” he asserted. He added that while the American F-22 may offer stealth advantages, the Rafale "is far better than anything China currently offers."
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has consistently denied any jet losses during Operation Sindoor, a targeted strike carried out in response to the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed. The Indian operation involved precision bombing of terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan territory, followed by missile strikes that reportedly damaged Pakistani Air Force bases.
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif had earlier claimed that Islamabad's forces shot down five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, and captured Indian soldiers. However, Pakistan has failed to provide any evidence substantiating their claims.
Defence analysts, both in India and abroad, have dismissed Pakistan’s narrative as unsubstantiated propaganda.
Context: Operation Sindoor and Regional Tensions
- Operation Sindoor: Launched in the aftermath of a terror attack in Pahalgam, India conducted precision strikes on terror camps and later missile attacks on PAF bases.
- Pakistan’s Claim: Defence Minister Asif alleged Pakistan shot down five Indian jets, including Rafales.
- Response from India and Dassault: Both the IAF and Dassault Aviation have categorically denied any jet losses or fighter aircraft crashes during the operation.
Why It Matters
The dispute over whether Rafales were downed reflects broader tensions in the India–Pakistan strategic narrative. As both nations vie for regional influence and credibility, such claims—when left unchallenged—can inflame public sentiment and complicate diplomatic efforts.
Dassault’s public rebuttal underlines the sensitivity surrounding modern military platforms like the Rafale, which India deploys in significant numbers following a major procurement deal.
Bottom Line:
With India and Dassault dismissing claims of downed Rafales, Pakistan must now provide credible evidence if it wishes to substantiate its allegations. As regional tensions simmer, the veracity of military assertions may increasingly shape both domestic narratives and international perceptions.