Dassault Aviation has formally refuted media reports suggesting that its Chairman and CEO, Eric Trappier, made technical or operational remarks about the Indian Air Force’s role in ‘Operation Sindoor’, particularly regarding the use of Rafale fighter jets. The French defence firm clarified that Trappier has not made any such statements, contrary to what some press reports have claimed.

The clarification comes as French Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier was reported to have denied that multiple Indian Rafale fighter jets were downed during the recent India-Pakistan conflict.

“Dassault Aviation denies Chairman & CEO alleged Rafale comments on Sindoor operation…In response to certain press reports quoting Dassault Aviation Chairman & CEO, Eric Trappier, about the Sindoor operation, Dassault Aviation formally denies that Eric Trappier has made any operational or technical comments regarding the use of the Rafale in this operation,” a statement read, as per news agency ANI.

In response to certain press reports quoting Dassault Aviation Chairman & CEO, Eric Trappier, about the Sindoor operation, Dassault Aviation formally denies that Eric Trappier has made any operational or technical comments regarding the use of the Rafale in this operation. pic.twitter.com/dZWEed9uj0

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2025

French news platform Avion Chasse had reported Trappier as remarking on the matter on June 15, 2025, a few days before the Paris Air Show.

Pakistan’s military has claimed to have destroyed three Indian Rafales during ‘Operation Sindoor’. These assertions, made public via an official communiqué from Rawalpindi earlier in June, were widely circulated in local media and amplified across social media platforms. India has since strongly contested the narrative.

What Did French Report Claim About Dassault CEO’s Remarks On Rafale Loss During Op Sindoor

According to a report in Avion Chasse, Trappier labelled the Pakistani accusations as “inaccurate and unfounded” and and stated that no Rafale aircraft were lost in combat. However, he stated that a single Rafale had been lost due to a technical failure at high altitude, which is currently under investigation.

The report said that Trappier’s remarks aimed to dispel misinformation and safeguard the operational image of the Rafale, which has been in Indian service since 2020. The French defence manufacturer was reported as emphasising that onboard systems, including the Spectra electronic warfare suite and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, recorded no hostile engagements during the timeframe in question.

He further alleged that a deliberate disinformation campaign might be underway to undermine Rafale’s global image, particularly as Dassault competes in major defence tenders in countries like Colombia, Serbia, and Malaysia, the report claimed.

India Dismissed Pakistani Narrative On Rafale

India’s Defence Secretary RK Singh has also refuted the claims during an interview with CNBC TV18. “You have used the term Rafales in the plural, I can assure you that is absolutely not correct. Pakistan suffered losses many times over India in both human and material terms, and more than 100 terrorists,” he said, adding, “No political constraints on our armed forces and they have full operational freedom in conflict.”

This remark was in reference to, India’s Defence Attaché to Jakarta, Navy Captain Shiv Kumar, who, during a seminar in Indonesia, noted, “I may not agree with him that India lost so many aircraft. But I do agree that we did lose some aircraft, and that happened only because of the constraint given by the political leadership to not attack the military establishments and their air defences.”

The first public acknowledgement of Indian losses came earlier from General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. He indicated that the Indian Air Force (IAF) had experienced losses but dismissed Pakistan’s claim of six aircraft being shot down—including Rafales—as “absolutely incorrect”.

China Spreading Disinformation Against Rafale?

In a related development, the Associated Press has reported findings from a French intelligence service alleging that China orchestrated a disinformation campaign to tarnish the Rafale’s international reputation. According to the report, Chinese embassies and military attachés had lobbied several governments to reconsider existing or potential Rafale purchases in favour of Chinese alternatives.

These efforts, said to be coordinated through diplomatic and military channels, coincided with Pakistan’s claim that it had shot down five Indian jets, including three Rafales, during hostilities in May.

In June, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti acknowledged at a press briefing that losses are part of any combat scenario, while neither confirming nor denying the specifics of Pakistan’s assertions.

Since entering service with the IAF, the Rafale has become a cornerstone of Dassault’s export success, with over 290 units ordered by countries including Egypt, Qatar, Greece, the UAE, Croatia, and Indonesia. The timing of these allegations is critical, as Dassault is actively bidding for India’s MRFA programme involving 114 jets and is in discussions with nations like Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.