‘India Lost a Rafale Fighter Jet’, Confirms Dassault Aviation CEO— ‘But Not in Enemy Encounter’
CDS General Anil Chauhan last month firmly denied Pakistan’s allegations of downing six Indian planes, including Rafales, terming the claim “absolutely incorrect.”
India lost one of its Rafale fighter aircraft, confirmed Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. The CEO, however, explained that the incident, which is still under investigation, occurred as a result of a high-altitude technical failure and not because of any hostile radar contact or enemy action.
A French defense website, Avion De Chasse, cited Trappier and said the incident took place “at an altitude of more than 12,000 meters as part of a prolonged training mission.” The report made it clear that no engagement with enemies was involved.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) or the Government of India has not issued an official statement on the loss of a Rafale fighter jet in such a situation.
Last month, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, while speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, accepted that the IAF had lost some aircraft in Operation Sindoor. He unequivocally denied the report of the downing of six Indian planes, including Rafales, by Pakistan as being “absolutely incorrect.”
In another interview with Reuters, General Chauhan stated that Indian forces crossed into Pakistani airspace several times and “penetrated all their air defenses with impunity,” carrying out precision strikes deep inside enemy territory.
Rafale Smear Campaign by China?
A report by the Associated Press, quoting French military and intelligence officials, said on Monday that China used its embassies to raise issues about the performance of French-manufactured Rafale combat planes after they were deployed during May’s India-Pakistan battles.
The action is said to have been part of a broader campaign by Beijing to discredit France’s flagship combat plane and spoil its worldwide sales.
Evidence from a French intelligence agency revealed that Chinese defense attachés in foreign missions actively worked to undermine the Rafale. They reportedly targeted nations that had already bought the jet as part of an effort to avoid further sales and divert potential customers to Chinese-produced jets instead.