A senior French intelligence official has confirmed that Pakistan shot down at least one Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jet during recent cross-border hostilities, marking the first time the advanced French-made aircraft has been destroyed in combat.
Speaking to CNN, the French official acknowledged that authorities in France are closely analysing the situation and assessing the extent of damage caused to the Indian Air Force’s fleet.
"This is the first time that one of the most advanced French-made fighter jets has been destroyed in combat," the official stated.
Pakistan earlier claimed it had downed five Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, in retaliation for Indian airstrikes. While Indian officials have not yet issued a statement regarding these claims, the international community is closely monitoring the rapidly escalating military tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Also Read: Rafale maker’s shares plunge as Pakistan downs 5 Indian jets
French intelligence agencies are also investigating whether more than one Rafale jet was actually downed by Pakistan. Though photographic evidence from Indian-administered Kashmir shows debris bearing labels of a French manufacturer, aviation experts caution that it is still too early to confirm whether the parts belong to a Rafale jet.
Meanwhile, the shares of Dassault Aviation -- the French company behind the Rafale fighter jet -- fell sharply by 6% on Wednesday.
This development came after Pakistan’s air force shot down 5 Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets in the wake of rising military tensions along the Line of Control (LoC).
The Rafale is one of the most sophisticated multirole combat aircraft in the world, weighing 10 tons and powered by twin engines. It is equipped with a 30mm internal cannon, air-to-air missiles, laser-guided bombs, and long-range cruise missiles. Before this latest conflict escalation, the Indian Air Force operated a fleet of 36 Rafale jets, all procured from France as part of a major defense deal.
