Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier has categorically rejected Pakistan’s claims of shooting down the Indian Air Force’s Rafale fighter jets during

Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier has categorically rejected Pakistan’s claim that five jets, including three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force, were shot down during Operation Sindoor. In an interview to a European magazine just ahead of the Paris Air Show (16-22 June 2025), Trappier termed these claims as “completely false”.

He said that India has not issued any official statement in this matter, due to which the whole situation is still unclear. Trappier stressed, “Pakistan’s claim that they destroyed three Rafale aircraft is not based on facts.” He also indicated that when all the facts come out, many people may be surprised. Defining the success of war, he said, “The measure of victory in war is not the number of losses, but the achievement of mission objectives.”

 Operation Sindoor: India’s decisive action

Operation Sindoor was a swift and precise military retaliation from India aimed at destroying terror bases and training camps located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan. The operation took place on 7-10 May 2025 and was carried out with intense coordination between the Indian Army, Air Force and intelligence agencies. The operation destroyed several terror camps and caused heavy damage to terrorist infrastructure. The Indian Ministry of Defence clarified that all necessary precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties in this operation and its sole aim was to eliminate terror threats.

Operation Sindoor was the first major Rafale-led operation after the Rafale joined the Indian Air Force in 2020. In this operation, the Indian Air Force demonstrated its strength through precision strikes and air superiority. According to Indian sources, the operation dealt a major blow to Pakistan militarily and led to a ceasefire. Indian defense experts have rejected Pakistani claims, calling them exaggerated and devoid of evidence.

Rafale, a versatile 4.5-generation fighter aircraft, has become the mainstay of India’s strategic air power. This aircraft has shown the ability to influence the regional air power balance. Praising the Rafale, Trappier said that the aircraft is known for its multi-capabilities, including air-to-air combat, ground attacks, reconnaissance missions, nuclear weapon delivery and aircraft carrier operations. He claimed that the Rafale’s flexibility and effectiveness make it far superior to the US F-35 and Chinese alternatives.

 Pahalgam Attack: Reason for the Operation

The basis of Operation Sindoor was a brutal terror attack that took place in the beautiful tourist destination of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. In this attack, heavily armed terrorists from Pakistan carried out a barbaric attack in the early hours, killing 26 innocent people. The incident shocked the entire country and reinvigorated the demand for strict action against cross-border terrorism. The terror hideouts targeted in Operation Sindoor are believed to be safe havens of the groups responsible for the same attack.

 Pakistani claims refuted

Pakistan had claimed that it shot down five IAF jets, including three Rafales, during Operation Sindoor. However, these claims have been rejected by Indian defence experts and several independent reports, as no concrete evidence was found to support it. Experts have described it as exaggeration and part of propaganda on Pakistan’s part.

 Strength and strategic importance of Rafale

Rafale, a versatile 4.5 generation fighter aircraft, has become the backbone of the Indian Air Force. It has played a key role in changing the regional air power balance. Trappier praised the capabilities of the Rafale, saying it is capable of diverse missions such as air-to-air combat, ground attack, reconnaissance and nuclear weapon delivery. He emphasised its flexibility and effectiveness, calling it superior to the US F-35 and other global options.

Trappier’s comments come at a time when discussions are rife in South Asia over air combat capabilities, weapons procurement and battlefield performance. His response is the strongest rebuttal to Pakistan’s claims so far, reflecting France’s confidence in the regional military mobility and reliability of the Rafale. remarks not only refute Pakistani claims but also underline France’s confidence in the reliability of Rafale and the strategic strength of the Indian Air Force. This statement is an important intervention in the ongoing military and strategic discussions in South Asia.

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resource from   india today