Amid rising tensions post-Operation Sindoor, Dassault Aviation’s CEO slams Pakistan’s claims of shooting down Indian Rafales as baseless lies. The truth behind Rafale’s status is revealed.
A Storm After Sindoor: The Pakistani Claim That Shook Headlines
THE PAHALGAM TERRORIST ATTACK India responded to the Pahalgam terrorist attack with Op Sindoor, a deadly contre- terrorism operation targeting terror outfits sitting across the border. A few hours later, Pakistan stepped forward with some brazen allegations — saying that it had downed four Indian Rafale fighter planes in an operation of its own. The story spread like wildfire and attracted concern and interest from international media.
Dassault Breaks Silence: “Not a Single Rafale Lost”
To debunk the fog of war, Eric Trappier, the chief executive of France’s Dassault Aviation (the manufacturer of Rafale jets) finally spoke up. Trappier in an interview with French magazine Challenges, strongly rejected the Pakistani assertions, terming them as “false propaganda.” He added, “There has been no communication from the Indian side on any such incident. And as for the Rafales being shot down — we know it is completely false.”
Mission Success Matters, Not Propaganda Noise
Trappier seized the moment to explain how the performance of a fighter jet is gauged—and it is not by enemy decibels but by mission success. “A combat plane should not be evaluated based only on losses. It is whether it gets the job done. That’s the real measure,” he said. He suggested that the world might be “surprised by the real story” once the full story comes out.
History Speaks: Losses Don’t Decide Wars
Comparing it to World War II, Trappier noted that it’s not dead bodies that reflect who wins and who loses. “Allies lost men too, but they won. Since it’s the result that writes history, not the sacrifice,” he said. The statement foreclosed the effort to turn the losses into a tale of failure.
Rafale: Still Flying High Above F-36s and Chinese Jets
Only bolstering Rafale’s lead, Trappier made no bones about it. “Between dog fights and nuclear deterrence, Rafale is much better than US F-36 and China’s J-20,” he said. “We build the best — not perfect, but the best there is.”
The Final Take: Pakistan’s Claim, Zero Proof
The fiery claim began with Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who, when asked for proof, had none to offer. Meanwhile, Indian defense officials remained focused on the success of Operation Sindoor, ignoring what they called an “attention-seeking gimmick.”
In short, the Rafale jets are safe, flying, and still India’s pride in the sky.
