No, Pakistan Didn’t Down India’s Rafale in Op Sindoor—Dassault CEO Ends Rumors!

Rafale Loss Confirmed by Dassault CEO: Technical Malfunction, Not Combat Involved, Says French Firm

Amid swirling rumors and speculative claims, Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier has officially confirmed that India lost one Rafale fighter jet, but clarified that the loss was due to a technical malfunction during a high-altitude mission, not as a result of combat operations. The incident occurred at over 12,000 meters altitude during routine maneuvers, and has triggered an internal investigation by the French manufacturer.

This statement comes in response to earlier reports from Pakistani media and some foreign analysts, who alleged that the Indian Rafale was downed by Pakistan Air Force’s J-10C fighter jets, equipped with PL-15E missiles, during the recent Operation Sindoor—a strike operation reportedly conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in May 2025. The claims suggested that multiple Rafale jets were shot down, raising concerns about the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite’s effectiveness.

However, Dassault’s CEO dismissed those allegations as “absolutely incorrect”, emphasizing that there was no enemy engagement or missile strike involved in the aircraft’s loss. Trappier added that the Rafale’s onboard systems did not detect any hostile radar locks or missile threats at the time of the failure. According to Dassault, the cause appears to be rooted in a non-combat technical issue, possibly mechanical or electronic in nature.

India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, also acknowledged that aircraft losses did occur during Operation Sindoor, but refrained from specifying the type of aircraft lost or the cause of the incidents, further fueling speculation.

Despite the setback, the Rafale remains a key strategic asset for the IAF, with its multi-role capabilities, high-altitude performance, and advanced avionics. The confirmation of a non-combat-related malfunction may ease concerns about the platform’s battle-readiness, especially as India considers acquiring more units for its air force and navy.

Dassault has promised a full technical review and emphasized that such isolated incidents are not unusual in advanced fighter operations. Meanwhile, India’s defense community continues to monitor the situation closely.

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