Pakistan’s Rafale Shoot-Down Claims Collapse as IAF Seeks Support for 36 Aircraft

New Delhi: Pakistan’s repeated claims that several Indian Rafale fighter aircraft were shot down during Operation Sindoor have suffered another major setback. An official Indian Air Force (IAF) document has reportedly confirmed that all 36 Rafale fighter jets inducted by India remain in service, contradicting Islamabad’s assertions of combat losses.

IAF Seeks Support for Entire Rafale Fleet

According to media reports, a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by Air Headquarters in June 2026 invites bids for a five-month bridge support package covering all 36 Rafale aircraft acquired from France under the 2016 government-to-government agreement.

The proposal seeks maintenance, logistics, and technical assistance to keep the fleet operational beyond September 2026. The support package is expected to cover approximately 2,250 flying hours during the five-month period and serve as an interim arrangement until a long-term support contract is finalized.

Pakistan’s Operation Sindoor lies busted, IAF document proves India’s Rafale fleet is fully intact

READ: https://t.co/t1EwFG22Flhttps://t.co/t1EwFG22Fl

— WION (@WIONews) June 23, 2026

Fresh Blow to Pakistan’s Narrative

The tender document has renewed questions over Pakistan’s repeated claims that multiple Rafale jets were destroyed during Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Defence observers note that if any Rafale aircraft had been lost in combat, the fleet size reflected in the support proposal would likely have been lower. Instead, the document clearly accounts for the complete fleet of 36 aircraft.

Pakistan had repeatedly claimed through official statements and coordinated online campaigns that its forces had downed several Indian Rafale fighters. India consistently rejected those allegations, describing them as misinformation aimed at undermining the success of the operation.

Earlier Evidence Had Already Raised Doubts

This is not the first indication that Pakistan’s claims lacked credibility. Several Rafale jets whose tail numbers were circulated on social media as allegedly “destroyed” were later photographed and recorded participating in operational missions, casting serious doubt on Islamabad’s assertions.

Military analysts have pointed to these sightings as evidence that the claims were unsupported by verifiable facts.

Rafales Played Crucial Role in Operation Sindoor

The Rafale fleet reportedly played a pivotal role during Operation Sindoor, conducting precision strikes against designated targets inside Pakistan.

Indian defence officials have repeatedly maintained that the aircraft performed effectively throughout the operation and have consistently denied reports of any Rafale combat losses.

The latest IAF document is being viewed as another official record reinforcing India’s position that the fleet remains fully operational.

India Moves Ahead with 114 More Rafales

Even as the controversy continues, India is pressing ahead with plans to acquire 114 additional Rafale fighter jets under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme.

The proposed deal with French aerospace major Dassault Aviation was discussed during recent talks between Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, discussions have progressed with a strong emphasis on the “Make in India” initiative. India is advocating a defence partnership model based on co-development, co-design, and co-production.

Under the proposed MRFA programme, 18 aircraft are expected to be delivered in flyaway condition, while the remaining jets would be manufactured in India with nearly 50 percent indigenous content, strengthening the country’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.