A senior French naval commander has said that Pakistan’s superior handling of an intense aerial battle -- not the technology of its Chinese-built J-10C jets -- was the decisive factor in the May 6–7, 2025 India-Pakistan air confrontation.
His remarks, made at a major Indo-Pacific defence conference, have reignited debate over the clash and India’s continued denial that any Rafale jets were shot down.
Captain Jacques Launay, commander of France’s Naval Air Base at Landivisiau and a veteran Rafale pilot with 25 years of operational experience, briefed 55 delegates from 32 countries, offering one of the most detailed foreign military assessments yet of the engagement.
'Pakistan much better prepared'
Speaking at the event organised by the IHEDN and France’s Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Launay said that the night-long combat was “a very complicated situation” involving over 140 fighter jets.
“It was very easy to hit an aircraft because so many targets were available. Pakistan handled that complicated situation better than its adversary,” he told the briefing.
His analysis directly contradicted an Indian delegate who interrupted the session, claiming reports of Rafale losses were “Chinese disinformation.” Launay continued his presentation without acknowledging the objection.
Although India has consistently rejected claims that any Rafale was shot down, the French commander’s comments add to a series of external accounts suggesting otherwise.
Radar failure 'operational, not technical'
Captain Launay addressed questions about why India’s Rafale radar system reportedly failed during the battle.
“There was nothing wrong with the war machine, but the machine was not used properly,” he said, emphasizing that the Rafale “can compete with and defeat the J-10C in any combat situation.”
He argued that the issue lay not in the aircraft but in how it was flown, describing the failure as operational rather than mechanical.
Captain Launay commands a base that houses 40+ nuclear-armed Rafales, 94 naval warships, 10 nuclear submarines and 190 aircraft.
He has overseen missions across the Middle East, Africa and Europe and recently participated in a French nuclear missile test—making his assessment one of the most authoritative foreign military analyses of the May 2025 clash.
Global militaries studying India-Pakistan air combat
The Indo-Pacific conference highlighted that armed forces worldwide are examining the May 2025 encounter as a rare modern example of air-to-air missile performance, large-scale fighter coordination and pilot decision-making under high pressure.
The imbalance in regional participation was notable: India sent multiple delegates, while Pakistan was represented by one senior journalist, despite the conflict being a central topic of military discussion.
India eyes nuclear-capable naval Rafales
Launay revealed that India is now pursuing the naval version of the Rafale, capable of landing on aircraft carriers and carrying nuclear missiles. France is the only navy in the world that operates nuclear-armed fighter jets from aircraft carriers.
Indian pilots are expected to receive training at Launay’s Landivisiau Naval Air Base, which serves as France’s primary centre for nuclear-capable naval aviation.
He also confirmed that France is developing the advanced Rafale F-4 variant, calling the aircraft “one of the best in the world.”
'We want peace, but we are prepared'
Despite acknowledging Pakistan’s stronger battle performance, Launay credited both India and Pakistan for preventing a larger conflict: “We want peace, but we are prepared to face any attack from any side.”
His remarks highlight lingering tensions in South Asia, even as foreign militaries continue to dissect the high-stakes confrontation.
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