$27.93 Billion Dassault CEO Slams Pakistan’s False Rafale Kill Claim in Operation Sindoor

 In a bold rebuttal to Pakistan’s sensational claims, Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, has categorically dismissed the assertion that three Rafale jets of the Indian Air Force were downed during Operation Sindoor.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with French magazine Challenges, Trappier declared:

“What Pakistan is claiming about downing three Rafales is simply not true.”

He confirmed that no official communication has been received from the Indian Air Force about any such losses, underlining that Pakistan’s narrative is factually incorrect. “When the complete details are known,” Trappier added with a hint of intrigue, “the reality may surprise many.”

🛩️ Operation Sindoor: Precision Strikes, Zero Losses

Launched as a counter-terror operation, Operation Sindoor was marked by precise and devastating airstrikes deep inside Pakistani territory, targeting terror infrastructure. According to Indian officials, no fighter jets were lost, and the mission inflicted severe damage on critical Pakistani Air Force installations.

Despite this, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif claimed that Pakistani forces downed five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, and even captured Indian soldiers. However, no verifiable proof has been presented by Pakistan to support these extraordinary claims.

🧠 Experts Call It Propaganda

Leading defence analysts and global military observers have labelled Pakistan’s claims as “textbook propaganda”, aimed at domestic optics rather than grounded in battlefield facts. The lack of visual or technical evidence has only strengthened suspicions.

As one analyst pointed out, “Pakistan has a history of exaggerated narratives during military engagements. This appears no different.”

🔥 Rafale vs Rivals: French Jet’s Superiority Undisputed

On the sidelines of the Paris Air Show, Trappier took the opportunity to reiterate Rafale’s global edge as a versatile combat aircraft:

“If you want a single aircraft capable of air-to-air combat, reconnaissance, ground strikes, nuclear deterrence, and carrier deployment — Rafale is unmatched.”

While acknowledging the stealth edge of the F-22, he argued that Rafale outperforms the F-35 in real-world missions and operational adaptability. He didn’t shy away from drawing comparisons with China’s fleet either, stating that Rafale is “far better than anything China currently offers.”

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✈️ Bottom Line

As the dust settles on Operation Sindoor, and with the Rafale’s credibility reinforced at the global stage, Pakistan’s unsupported claims have largely been dismissed. The French confidence in India’s fleet and the IAF’s operational success send a clear message: disinformation doesn’t fly in the face of facts.