(Image source from: Indiatoday.in)
Pakistan's continual statements that India lost several Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor have been refuted once more by an official document from the Indian Air Force (IAF), which looks for temporary assistance for all 36 Rafale jets that are currently operational. A Request for Proposal (RFP) from Air Headquarters, released in June and reviewed by India Today, calls for proposals for a five-month support package for all 36 Rafale aircraft, which is the same amount that India bought from France following a government-to-government agreement made in 2016. This document requests maintenance, logistics, and technical help to keep the fleet running past September 2026, with around 2,250 flying hours planned during the five-month support duration. The temporary support plan is designed to guarantee continuous operations until a long-term support contract is established.
The RFP directly challenges Pakistan’s story that many Indian Rafale jets were lost during Operation Sindoor, which was India's military action in response to the Pahalgam terrorist incident. If any aircraft had been destroyed, the fleet size mentioned in the maintenance proposal would probably show a lower number. Pakistan has frequently insisted, through official announcements and organized social media efforts, that its military shot down several Indian Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor. India has consistently rejected those claims as false information, accusing Pakistan of running a propaganda effort to cast doubt on the achievements of the IAF’s operations. This recent situation also builds on previous evidence that already raised questions about Pakistan's statements. Some Rafale jets, with tail numbers that Pakistani social media accounts claimed were "destroyed," were later seen and documented flying in active missions, further undermining Islamabad's claims.
The Rafale fleet was very important in Operation Sindoor, conducting precise attacks on targets within Pakistan. Defense officials have stated that the planes functioned as they should during the mission and have consistently denied any reports of losses in combat. The tender from June 2026 is the latest proof that supports India's claim that its Rafale fleet is still whole, providing another blow to Pakistan's ongoing assertions about the planes being destroyed. At the same time, India is progressing with plans to acquire 114 more Rafale fighter jets from French defense company Dassault Aviation through the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft program. This potential purchase was talked about during recent discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Ministry of External Affairs indicated that talks regarding the Rafale program have advanced, with Prime Minister Modi highlighting the "Make in India" initiative and pushing for a partnership approach involving co-development, co-design, and co-production for future defense collaborations between India and France. As part of the MRFA program, 18 Rafale jets are set to be delivered ready to use, while the other jets will be produced in India with around half of the components being sourced locally.
