Pak's claim of Rafale jets loss during Op Sindoor inaccurate, says Dassault chief

Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier has dismissed Pakistan’s claim of having shot down Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets during India's Operation Sindoor, marking the first public response from the French aerospace major. In an interview with French magazine Challenges, Trappier said there was no official communication from the Indian side on any Rafale losses during Operation Sindoor, conducted in early May, but made it clear that Pakistan's claim of downing three Rafales was "inaccurate".

Trappier, speaking ahead of the Paris Air Show, said, "The Indians have not communicated, so we do not know exactly what happened. What we already know is that the words of the Pakistanis - three destroyed Rafales - are inaccurate."

He added that assessing modern combat operations should not be based solely on whether losses occurred, but whether the mission objectives were achieved.

Drawing a parallel to historical military campaigns, Trappier added, "During the Second World War, it was not said that the Allies had lost the war because they had lost troops." He suggested that the full picture may not yet be known and cautioned that "some may have surprises" once all facts are eventually revealed.

Operation Sindoor was India's first major Rafale-led operation since the aircraft’s induction in 2020.

Indian analysts and defense experts have largely dismissed Pakistani media claims, pointing to a consistent pattern of exaggerated statements from Islamabad and the absence of concrete proof.

Operation Sindoor was a significant show of force by the Indian Air Force, utilising precision targeting and air superiority tactics that, as per IAF sources, resulted in substantial military setbacks for Pakistan and led to a ceasefire.

The Rafale, a 4.5-generation omnirole fighter, has been central to India’s strategic air combat capability and was expected to tilt the aerial power balance in the region after its induction.

Trappier reiterated the aircraft’s value, stating the Rafale remains one of the most versatile and effective multirole fighters in the world, better suited for diverse missions than the American F-35 or Chinese alternatives. He added that the aircraft's strength lies in its flexibility - capable of air-to-air combat, ground strikes, reconnaissance, nuclear delivery and carrier operations.

The French CEO's remarks come at a time when questions around battlefield performance, arms procurement and air superiority dominate headlines in South Asia. Trappier's remarks serve as the strongest rebuttal yet to Pakistan’s version of events.

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