Dassault Aviation CEO and Chairman Eric Trappier has strongly refuted Pakistan’s assertion that the country downed several Indian Rafale fighter planes during the recent Indo-Pakistani battle. In an interview with French news portal Avion Chasse, Trappier stated that India lost one Rafale combat plane only, and that also due to a technical malfunction at high altitude, not as a consequence of enemy action.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) claimed that it shot down five Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter planes—including three Rafale jets—during the initial phase of India’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7. PAF authorities stated that Chinese-origin J-10C aircraft launched PL-15E long-range missiles to carry out the shooting. But Pakistan has not furnished any credible evidence regarding the said claims.
Eric Trappier rejected the statement as “unfounded and inaccurate” and explained that Spectra electronic warfare systems of the Rafale fighters did not detect any hostile encounters during the operation. He further stated that Dassault received flight records showing no indication that any planes were shot down in combat.
Trappier also countered criticism regarding the wider disinformation campaign aimed at Rafale jets, saying, “Dassault has never concealed any operational losses of its planes.” He alleged that Chinese defence attaches spearheaded a concerted effort to erode confidence in the French-built fighter aircraft.
India Rejects Pakistani Claims of Shot Down Rafale
India’s Defence Secretary RK Singh backed Dassault’s stand in an interview with CNBC TV18. He refuted reports of the loss of more than one Rafale and stated, “You have used the term Rafales in the plural, I can assure you that is not correct.” He mentioned that Pakistan had lost many more human lives as well as material during the fight.
Earlier, Indian Navy Captain Shiv Kumar, the defence attache to Indonesia, confirmed that the IAF lost some planes on the opening day of Operation Sindoor. He held losses responsible due to initial limitations put by political leadership, which limited strikes against terror infrastructure and prohibited attacks on Pakistani military establishments.
French Intelligence Flags Disinformation Campaign
French intelligence reportedly confirmed that foreign powers, specifically Chinese diplomatic missions, are waging a disinformation campaign to undermine global confidence in Dassault’s Rafale. The French defence ministry stated that the campaign aims to promote Chinese competitors and damage France’s reputation for strategic autonomy and industrial dependability.
“The Rafale was also targeted as it is a strategic French product. The campaign of disinformation thus targeted not just an aeroplane, but by extension, an image of the nation,” the ministry stated.
Dassault has sold 323 of the 533 Rafales produced, with major purchasers being India, Egypt, Qatar, UAE, Greece, Indonesia, Croatia, and Serbia.
