The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully put to rest lingering speculation regarding its aerial fleet during the 2026 Republic Day celebrations, as the Rafale fighter jet bearing the tail number BS-022 took to the skies over Kartavya Path.
This public display served as definitive proof refuting claims made by Pakistani defence sources the previous year, which alleged the aircraft had been shot down during aerial skirmishes.
The controversy stems from May 2025, following the heightened military tensions triggered by a terror attack in Pahalgam.
In response, India launched "Operation Sindoor," a high-intensity counter-terror strike reportedly utilising Rafale jets equipped with SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided munitions.
The operation, which aimed to neutralise terrorist infrastructure, resulted in a brief but aggressive aerial engagement between the IAF and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
In the aftermath of the clash, Pakistani military officials and defence commentators, including analyst Alan Warnes, claimed that the PAF had successfully downed multiple Indian Rafales. Citing exclusive sources, they specifically named tail numbers BS-021, BS-022, and BS-027 among the alleged losses.
These assertions were widely circulated on social media, with some narratives suggesting that Pakistani J-10CE fighters, armed with PL-15 missiles, had outmanoeuvred the French-made jets.
However, the 77th Republic Day flypast on January 26, 2026, offered a stark visual contradiction to these narratives.
The IAF showcased a total of 29 aircraft, featuring a unique "Sindoor" formation—a tribute to the previous year’s operation.
This spearhead formation included two Rafales flying alongside two Su-30MKIs, two MiG-29s, and a Jaguar. Aviation enthusiasts and defence observers identified BS-022 as one of the participating Rafales, flying in precise coordination with its wingmen.
The Dassault Rafale is a 4.5-generation omnirole aircraft known for its versatility in air supremacy, interdiction, and aerial reconnaissance missions. Since its induction into the IAF, it has been viewed as a critical strategic asset in the region.
The aircraft's visible presence and operational capability during the parade undercut the previous year's unverified reports, which lacked material evidence such as wreckage or pilot capture.
In addition to the "Sindoor" formation, the flypast featured the "Vajraang" group, consisting of six Rafales, and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, highlighting the IAF's sustained combat readiness.
Experts note that the inclusion of the specific airframes involved in the May 2025 conflict was a calculated move to signal the fleet's integrity.
For the public and the international community watching the broadcast, the roar of BS-022 over the capital provided a clear conclusion to the information warfare that followed Operation Sindoor: the aircraft remains active, airworthy, and central to India’s air defence posture.
