France-India rift widens over Rafale jet performance during conflict with Pakistan

A diplomatic rift has developed between France and India after reports surfaced regarding underperformance of the Dassault Rafale fighters during the recent Pakistan-India conflict. Paris has blamed the loss of the Rafale to the lack of capability among Indian Air Force pilots.

According to multiple reports from regional and Western media outlets, including analyses by the US and French defence experts, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) downed six Indian fighter jets in the early phase of hostilities, including at least three France-manufactured Rafales.

The remaining losses reportedly included a Su-30MKI, a MiG-29, and a Mirage 2000, most of which were shot down during Indian deep-strike operations inside Pakistani airspace. 

The shootdowns were executed by Pakistan’s J-10C squadrons equipped with advanced radar and missile systems.

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

Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan confirmed that Indian jets had been lost but declined to provide exact figures. 

“What is important is not the jet being down, but why they were being downed. What mistakes were made? those are important. Numbers are not important,” Chauhan said in an interview with Bloomberg TV.

The losses triggered a diplomatic standoff between France and India, two long-standing defence partners, casting doubt on the credibility of the Rafale fighter, which India purchased as a cornerstone of its modern air force.

France reportedly refused to provide India with the source code for the Rafale jet, hampering India’s ability to fully integrate or troubleshoot the system. 

In response, Paris defended its aircraft, attributing failures to pilot error and maintenance lapses, rather than technical flaws in the jet itself.

Read: After losing Rafales, India begins work on stealth fighter jet programme

Furthermore, India blocked Dassault’s audit team from inspecting its Rafale fleet. French auditors had requested access to determine whether technical oversight or mismanagement by the Indian Air Force contributed to the losses. 

Indian sources suggest that New Delhi was concerned that the audit may shift blame away from Dassault and onto India’s own military.

The Indonesian government has reportedly launched an audit of its recent defence agreement with Dassault, expressing concern over the Rafale’s alleged shortcomings. European nations are also said to be reevaluating their strategic assumptions about the French fighter.

Meanwhile, Dassault Aviation’s stock value declined following early reports of the downing of its jets, further intensifying the pressure on the French manufacturer to defend its flagship aircraft’s reputation.