Overview

• Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier rejected Pakistan’s reports of three Rafale jets being shot down as inaccurate, noting that no losses have been communicated by the Indian Air Force.
• Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan also dismissed Islamabad’s assertion of six downed aircraft as ‘absolutely incorrect’ while confirming mission objectives were met.
• Operation Sindoor, launched in early May in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, marked India’s first major Rafale-led aerial operation since the fleet’s induction in 2020.
• Defense leaders emphasize that modern combat assessments focus on achieving operational goals rather than preserving every aircraft.
• Trappier underscored the Rafale’s versatility and combat effectiveness, describing it as superior to comparable fighters in fulfilling diverse mission roles.