What the French military said about the downing of India’s Rafale fighter jet
The French military has reacted for the first time to the downing of India’s Rafale fighter jet by Pakistan. In this, the French military confirmed that they have sought information from India about the downing of the Rafale fighter jet. If confirmed, this will be the first incident of downing since the Rafale fighter jet began to be used almost 20 years ago.
The Pakistani military claims that in response to India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ on the night of May 7, they shot down five Indian fighter jets; including three French-made Rafale fighter jets, a Russian-made MiG-29 and an SU-30.
However, India has not yet confirmed or denied this claim of Pakistan. The Indian Air Force has only said, ‘losses are part of war’.
At a regular press conference in Paris, a spokesman for the French military acknowledged the importance of Pakistan’s claim and said that France is in close contact with Indian defense authorities to verify the reports that have come to light in this regard.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and are in active contact with India to gather direct information,” said Colonel Guillaume Vernet, spokesman for the French armed forces’ general staff in Paris.
Colonel Guillaume Vernet did not yet confirm the downing of the Rafale fighter jet. But he stressed that the effectiveness and operation of the Rafale fighter jets are a matter of “vital interest” for the French armed forces.
India bought the Rafale fighter jets from France under a major defense deal signed in 2016. The fighter jets are a key element of the strength and strategic deterrence of the Indian Air Force. The country’s leaders are proud of them. However, the news of several aircraft being downed has largely faded.
Although India has not yet confirmed the loss of the Rafale, US media CNN reported immediately after the incident, citing a top French intelligence official, that Pakistan had shot down at least one Indian Rafale fighter jet. The French official told CNN that an investigation is underway to determine whether Pakistan had shot down more than one Rafale.
