Pak claim of downing 3 Rafales during Op Sindoor incorrect: Dassault CEO

Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier says Rafale is better than the American F-35 stealth jet and far superior to all Chinese aircraft in the market when it comes to being an omnirole aircraft
Delhi
Listen to This Article
Pakistan's claims of downing three Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale combat aircraft in an aerial engagement during the May 7 strike on terror targets inside Pakistan under Operation Sindoor are incorrect, Éric Trappier, chief executive officer (CEO) of France's Dassault Aviation, the original equipment manufacturer of Rafale, has said.
Acknowledging that he was not exactly aware about the alleged combat losses during Operation Sindoor — given that New Delhi has not communicated anything on the matter — Trappier said in a French-language interview: 'What we do know is that the claims made by the Pakistanis (three Rafales destroyed) are incorrect.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hans India

20 minutes ago

• Hans India

American Strikes Hit Iranian Nuclear Sites, Extent of Damage Still Under Review

After the US military struck three Iranian sites, there were urgent questions raised Sunday about what remained of Iran nuclear program and its weakened military. After more than a month of US military strike on Iran, which have systematically destroyed the country's offensive missile capability and air defenses while damaging Iran's nuclear sites, the decision to involve the US directly was made. U.S. officials and Israeli officials said American stealth bombers with a 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb (13,600 kilograms) they can only carry offer the best chance to destroy heavily fortified Iranian nuclear sites buried deep underground. According to Rafael Grossi, the U.N.'s top nuclear functionary, it's simply not possible right now — indeed for the International Atomic Energy Agency — to determine what kind of damage may have passed below ground at Fordo." Donald Trump announced that the Israeli strikes on Iran had taken place. Iran's IRNA state-run news agency reported the attacks. Tehran has gestured through its Foreign Minister that a balance remains on the table. The B-2 stealth aircraft that destroyed Iran's Fordownuclear site included microwaves, bathrooms, and usually a refrigerator to store snacks. This was to make life easier for the pilots during their 37-hour journey from Missouri to Iran, then back to America. NY POST reports that the fleet of modern American bombers was launched from Whiteman Air Force Base, north of Kansas City, on Friday. The aircraft refueled multiple times during the 18-hour journey around the world. Donald Trump announced that the attacks had taken place. Iran's IRNA state-run news agency reported the attacks. Iran's Foreign Minister said that Iran reserves the right of retaliation. The B- 2 charge targeting Fordow came the most extended operation of its kind since the U.S. launched its first air strikes in Afghanistan after 9/11.

The Hindu

25 minutes ago

• The Hindu

Iran-Israel conflict: Congress asks government to show moral courage, slams it for not condemning U.S. bombing

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to unleash American air power on Iran makes a "mockery" of his own calls for the continuation of talks with Iran, the Congress said on Monday (June 23, 2025) and slammed the Modi government for neither criticising nor condemning the U.S. bombing and Israel's aggression. The opposition party reiterated the absolute essentiality of immediate diplomacy and dialogue with Iran. Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said President Trump's decision to unleash U.S. air power on Iran makes a "mockery" of his own calls for the continuation of talks with Iran. "The Indian National Congress reiterates the absolute essentiality of immediate diplomacy and dialogue with Iran. The Government of India must demonstrate greater moral courage than it has so far," he said. "The Modi Government has unequivocally neither criticised nor condemned the US bombing and Israel's aggression, bombings and targeted assassinations," Mr. Ramesh said on X. "It has also maintained a deafening silence on the genocide being perpetrated on the Palestianians in Gaza," he added. His remarks come after the U.S. bombed three major nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — in Iran, bringing itself into the Israel-Iran conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (June 22, 2025) conveyed to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian India's "deep concern" over Iran's conflict with Israel and called for immediate de-escalation of the situation through "dialogue and diplomacy". The U.S. attack on the Iranian nuclear facilities has triggered fears of a wider regional conflict, with many leading countries and blocs calling for restraint. On Saturday (June 21, 2025), before the US bombing, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi had strongly criticised India's silence on Israel's devastation in Gaza and Iran as "not just a loss of its voice, but also a surrender of values". In an article published in The Hindu - "It is still not too late for India's voice to be heard", she had accused the Modi government of abandoning India's long-standing and principled commitment to a peaceful two-nation solution envisioning an independent Palestine along with Israel. Gandhi, in the article, had also been critical of US President Trump for following a "destructive path" in West Asia, after having spoken against America's endless wars.

New Indian Express

29 minutes ago

• New Indian Express

UPA regime stood for scams, Modi-led NDA government for nation building: Minister Kishan

HYDERABAD: Union Coal & Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Sunday said that while the 'remote-controlled' UPA regime was known for corruption and scams, the BJP-led NDA government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is synonymous with nation building and development. 'During UPA rule, the main headlines in all newspapers used to be on corruption in the government. But in the last 11 years, the Modi-led NDA government has been free of corruption,' he said. The Union minister presided over the Viksit Sankalp Sabha in Secunderabad organised by Malkajgiri MP Eatala Rajender on completion of one year in office. Kishan, who is also the president of the state BJP unit, said: 'In the past, terrorist attacks and bomb blasts used to be the norm. But in the last 11 years, there has been no such terror attack. With surgical and air strikes as well as several other operations, the country, under Modi's leadership, has succeeded in curbing terrorist activities. We responded to the recent Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam with Operation Sindoor.' The Union minister also said that the Modi government was moving forward with a development agenda. 'The country is currently witnessing all-round development. Funds are being allocated for rural development, women empowerment, for improving road infrastructure and railway stations,' he said, adding that 32 out of 33 districts in Telangana have now been connected to national highways. He also said that the Union government was distributing PDS rice for 80 crore people in the country. Kishan, meanwhile, slammed the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government for 'failing' to fulfil promises made to the people. 'The Congress is also following in the footsteps of BRS and encouraging corruption,' he alleged. Stating that the BJP is the only party that will be able to protect the interests of Telangana people, he exuded confidence in the saffron party forming the government in the state by winning the next Assembly elections.