Dassault Rejects Pakistan's Claim of Shooting Down Rafale Jets
Dassault Exposed Pakistan: The claim made by Pakistan of shooting down an Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jet has been refuted by Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of French aerospace company Dassault Aviation. Trappier explicitly stated that Pakistan's claim is entirely false and lacks any truth. He also mentioned that no official information has been received from India regarding this matter, therefore, reaching any conclusion would be premature. However, the claim of shooting down three Rafale jets is baseless.
CEO Clarifies on Rafale's Capabilities
During an interview, Eric Trappier elaborated on the capabilities of the Rafale. He stated that the Rafale is one of the world's best multi-role fighter jets. It outperforms the F-35 and even China's modern fighter aircraft. The Rafale possesses complete capabilities for air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, nuclear attacks, and naval operations. It has proven effective on all fronts.
'Zero Losses' Not the Goal, Achieving Objectives is Key
Trappier also addressed the realities of warfare. He stated that expecting 'zero losses' in any war is unrealistic. Citing World War II as an example, he explained that the Allied forces also suffered heavy casualties, but achieved their objectives. Similarly, even if there were any losses in Operation Sindhur, the real question is whether the strategic objectives were met.
Rafale vs. F-22 and Other Fighter Jets
The Dassault CEO acknowledged that fighter jets like the American F-22 might be superior to the Rafale in certain aspects. However, if a fighter capable of all types of operations is required, the Rafale is the most suitable option. Its 'omnrole' capability, or multi-role efficiency, sets it apart. This is its greatest strength.
India's Rafale Deal
The Indian government is currently in the process of procuring 26 Rafale-M fighter jets under a ₹63,000 crore deal. These jets will operate from aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. Earlier, in 2016, India purchased 36 Rafale jets from France, which are now part of the Indian Air Force.
