New IAF Tender for 36 Rafale Fighter Jets Debunks Pakistan's Operation Sindoor Loss Claims

Pakistan's oft-repeated claim that India lost several Rafale fighters during Operation Sindoor has now been squarely contradicted by the Indian Air Force itself.

A newly issued Request for Proposal (RFP) in June makes clear that all 36 Rafales acquired under the 2016 agreement with France remain in active service. The tender seeks short-term maintenance and logistical support for the entire fleet, covering a five-month period and projecting roughly 2,250 flying hours to ensure uninterrupted operations until a longer contract is sealed later this year.

The inclusion of every aircraft in the proposal leaves little room for speculation; had any jets been destroyed in combat, the numbers would have reflected that loss.

Defence officials underline that this comprehensive coverage is proof that no Rafale was downed during India’s retaliatory strikes following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Pakistan had attempted to bolster its narrative through official pronouncements and designed social media campaigns, insisting that its forces had shot down multiple Rafales. Yet India has consistently dismissed these stories as deliberate disinformation.

In fact, several aircraft that Pakistani accounts had triumphantly declared “destroyed” were subsequently seen flying operational sorties, further eroding the credibility of those claims.

The Rafale squadron was central to Operation Sindoor, executing precision strikes deep inside Pakistani territory and performing exactly as intended, according to defence sources.

The latest procurement move not only underscores the fleet’s intact strength but also coincides with India’s broader ambitions under the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft programme, which envisions the acquisition of 114 additional Rafales. Discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have already highlighted the importance of co-development and “Make in India” principles in this expansion.

Taken together, the fresh RFP and ongoing negotiations deliver a decisive rebuttal to Pakistan’s assertions, reaffirming both the operational readiness and the full complement of India’s Rafale force.

 

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[Vishal17118]

India Should have started program to Redesign Sukhoi-30MKI with Composite Airframes to reduce RCS decades earlier as China did in Case of J-16 (Su-30 based) or USA with F-15EX (Both New Composite Airframes), Which we Did Not Do.

Its good Aircraft but Physical Limitations cannot be solved completely by Super Sukhoi Upgrades. We have massive Numbers of it 260+ without RCS Reduction they will become obsolete, even in current operation we are having problems due to Bigger RCS. I Think they Should Still Start the Airframes Modernization Program for Su-30MKI with Composite Materials & RAM Coatings.

Purchase Su-57 with AL41 Engine (Full ToT & Know How), use those AL41 Engines in New Composite Su-30MKI Airframes too or simply buy Su-57 as future replacement of Su-30MKI & its Category but i Still think India Should Always keep Sukhoi-30MKI in smaller numbers (150 Su-30 with 150 Su-57), now with Super Sukhoi Upgrade they will be Fully Controlled by India Down to Source Code level, they are one of the Best Dogfighters in its size class only Exceeded by Su-57.