Pakistan Downs Indian Rafale Jet in Combat for First Time, Confirms French Intelligence

The French official revealed that authorities

closely monitoring the situation and assessing

the scale of damage inflicted on the IAF’s fleet

Web Desk

Karachi: A senior French intelligence official has confirmed that Pakistan shot down at least one Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jet during the recent cross-border hostilities — marking the first-ever combat loss of the French-made Rafale jet.

In an exclusive statement to CNN, the French official revealed that authorities in France are closely monitoring the situation and assessing the scale of damage inflicted on 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 told CNN.

Pakistan Claims Downing of Five Indian Jets

Earlier, Pakistan claimed that it had shot down five Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, in response to Indian airstrikes across the Line of Control (LoC). While Indian officials have yet to respond to the claims, the development has escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Evidence Under Review, Rafale Manufacturer’s Shares Plunge

French intelligence agencies are also investigating whether more than one Rafale was downed by Pakistan. Debris seen in Indian-administered Kashmir includes fragments labeled with markings from a French aerospace manufacturer. However, aviation experts caution that more analysis is needed to confirm if the wreckage belongs to a Rafale jet.

Following the news, shares of Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of the Rafale, plunged 6% on Wednesday, reflecting investor concern over the combat performance of the aircraft.

Rafale: France’s Premier Multirole Fighter

The Rafale jet is one of the world’s most sophisticated multirole combat aircraft. Weighing 10 tons and powered by twin engines, it is equipped with a 30mm internal cannon, advanced air-to-air missiles, laser-guided bombs, and long-range cruise missiles. Before the conflict, the Indian Air Force operated 36 Rafale jets, all purchased from France under a multibillion-dollar defense agreement.

As tensions continue to rise in South Asia, global powers are closely watching the unfolding military developments between Pakistan and India, with concerns over regional stability and the possibility of further escalation.