Dassault Aviation’s top executive has rubbished Pakistan’s claim of shooting down three Indian Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, calling it ‘factually incorrect’.
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, rejected the allegation in an interview with French magazine Challenges. “What Pakistan is claiming about downing three Rafales is simply not true,” he said.
Trappier confirmed that Dassault has received no official information from the Indian Air Force suggesting any Rafale losses. “What we already know is that what the Pakistanis are saying about destroying three Rafale planes is inaccurate,” he added.
Rafale’s reputation highlighted before Paris Air Show
Speaking ahead of the Paris Air Show, Trappier praised the Rafale fighter jets as unmatched in versatility. He said the Rafale could handle air-to-air combat, reconnaissance, ground strikes, nuclear deterrence, and carrier-based missions.
He acknowledged that the American F-22 has stealth advantages but maintained the Rafale’s superiority over the F-35 in real-world performance. “It’s far better than anything China currently offers,” Trappier asserted.
India rejects claims; analysts call it propaganda
The Indian government has already dismissed claims of losing any fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. The operation targeted terror infrastructure inside Pakistan and was followed by missile strikes that damaged key Pakistani Air Force bases.
Earlier, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif had claimed that Pakistan shot down five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, and captured soldiers. However, he offered no evidence. Defence analysts have labelled the statement as propaganda, consistent with Pakistan’s past tactics.
India had launched Operation Sindoor in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed.
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