French Military Responds to Reports of Rafale Jet Downed by Pakistan Air Force

Paris – The French military has issued an official response to reports that a Rafale fighter jet was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force during a recent conflict between Pakistan and India. The statement was made during a press briefing in Paris, amid growing speculation following the high-stakes aerial engagement.

A spokesperson for the French armed forces acknowledged the circulating reports but emphasized that the details of the incident remain unconfirmed. “We are closely monitoring the situation concerning the Rafale’s performance and are in direct contact with our partner, India, to obtain accurate information,” the spokesperson stated.

According to preliminary accounts, the aerial confrontation involved hundreds of aircraft, making it one of the largest air battles in recent years. France, as the manufacturer of the Rafale, is reportedly eager to study the incident and learn from the aircraft’s performance in real combat conditions.

“If the reports of the Rafale being downed are confirmed, it would mark the first such incident in the aircraft’s two decades of operational service,” the spokesperson added.

The Rafale, developed by French defense company Dassault Aviation, is considered one of the most advanced multirole fighter jets in service and has been a key component of the Indian Air Force’s fleet since its induction.

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Neither the Indian government nor the Pakistan Air Force has officially confirmed or denied the downing of the Rafale as of now. Further investigations and intelligence-sharing between France and India are expected to clarify the situation in the coming days.