France Seeking Information From India Regarding Rafale Jet Loss in Indo-Pak clash

France is highly concerned about the performance of the Rafale fighter and is maintaining close communication with India to obtain first-hand information regarding its reported downing during an India-Pakistan air duel on May 7.

A spokesman of the French Ministry of Defense's Armed Forces Staff said during a briefing in Paris yesterday that if the relevant information is true, this will be the first time that a Rafale fighter jet has been damaged in actual combat in its 20 years of service.

Responding to a question from Hong Kong -based  Phoenix TV, the spokesman, Colonel Vernet, said that the specific circumstances of the incident are still shrouded in mystery and much information cannot be confirmed.

Colonel Vernet stated  that some reports pointed out that hundreds of military aircraft were used in this battle. The French side would like to learn as much as possible from this high-intensity battle.

While Pakistan has claimed that two Rafale and one Su-30MKI of India have been downed and debris fell on the Indian side of the border, India has not commented on the allegations.

However, in response to a reporter’s question regarding the reported loss of a Rafale jet, a senior Indian Air Force officer said during a briefing on May 9, “losses are a part of air combat and all IAF pilots returned safely,” from the mission to bomb enemy targets that included Pakistani air bases and terrorist infrastructure.