Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 15: In a sharp rebuttal to Islamabad's recent claims, Dassault Aviation’s Chairman and ceo Eric Trappier has categorically denied that any Indian Rafale jets were shot down by Pakistan during the recent Operation Sindoor. Speaking to French publication Challenges ahead of the Paris Air Show, Trappier labeled the assertion as “factually incorrect” and lacking any basis.

“What Pakistan is claiming about downing three Rafales is simply not true,” Trappier said. He further clarified that Dassault has received no official report from the Indian Air Force (IAF) about the loss of any Rafale jets. “The reality may surprise many once all details are fully known,” he hinted.

Operation Sindoor, a high-stakes cross-border military offensive launched by India in response to a brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam that left 26 tourists dead, involved precision airstrikes on militant bases deep inside Pakistani territory. These were reportedly followed by coordinated missile strikes on key Pakistani Air Force installations. New Delhi has firmly denied any aircraft losses during the operation.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif had stoked controversy by asserting that Pakistani forces had downed five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, and captured Indian soldiers during the supposed retaliation. However, Islamabad has yet to present any credible evidence to support its dramatic claims.

Trappier used the interview not just to clarify the record, but also to champion the Rafale’s capabilities. He emphasized the aircraft’s status as a top-tier multirole fighter capable of excelling in air combat, reconnaissance, deep strike missions, nuclear deterrence, and even carrier-based operations. While conceding that the American F-22 possesses stealth advantages, he asserted that the Rafale outperforms the F-35 in real-world mission adaptability. “It’s far ahead of anything currently in China’s arsenal,” he added confidently.

Defence experts and strategic analysts have echoed Trappier’s stance, dismissing Pakistan’s narrative as a familiar mix of bluster and misinformation—consistent with past patterns of exaggeration during periods of military confrontation.