France breaks silence on Rafale jet 'loss' in India-Pakistan conflict

Amid widespread speculation surrounding the recent India-Pakistan conflict, the French Ministry of Armed Forces has issued its first official response to reports suggesting the downing of a Rafale fighter jet—a move that, if verified, would mark the first combat loss of the aircraft since it entered service two decades ago.

During a routine press briefing, a spokesperson from the French Ministry addressed a query from Phoenix TV, acknowledging the gravity of the circulating reports.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and remain in direct communication with our Indian counterparts to obtain verified information,” the spokesperson said.

While confirming that the current details remain unclear and largely unverified, the French official emphasized that the Ministry is treating the matter with high priority.

“Should the loss be confirmed, it would represent the first operational downing of a Rafale in its 20-year service history. We are committed to learning from this high-intensity combat scenario,” the official added.

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Preliminary reports have suggested that the air engagement involved hundreds of military aircraft from both sides, adding further complexity to the incident. 

France has expressed its intention to assess the Rafale’s performance under such conditions and extract operational insights to inform future preparedness.

This rare public statement reflects France’s vested interest in the operational integrity of one of its flagship military exports and underscores the geopolitical implications of such high-stakes regional conflicts.