France has responded cautiously to reports that its Rafale fighter jets were among several Indian aircraft shot down by Pakistan during a recent escalation between the two South Asian neighbours.
During a routine briefing in Paris, a French military spokesperson said the country was closely observing developments surrounding the May 7 incident, in which Pakistan reportedly downed seven Indian aircraft, including three Rafales. The spokesperson emphasised that many details remained unconfirmed and that France was in direct contact with Indian authorities to gather more information.
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According to reports, the air battle involved hundreds of aircraft from both sides. If verified, the loss of Rafales would mark the first such instance since the aircraft entered operational service two decades ago. France expressed particular interest in studying the Rafale’s performance during the conflict.
The downing of advanced jets like the Rafale has been described by international analysts as a significant blow to India’s aerial strength. Defence experts suggest that the Pakistan Air Force’s ability to target such modern aircraft could signal a shift in the regional air power balance.
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India’s Air Marshal AK Bharti briefly addressed the issue on May 9, acknowledging the losses but declined to offer further details, noting that such disclosures could benefit the adversary.
India had purchased 36 Rafale jets from France following a 2019 aerial clash in which Pakistan also downed Indian aircraft. The latest incident, if fully verified, would bring the total known losses of Indian Rafales to three.