New Delhi: French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation’s chief executive officer Eric Trappier rejected as “inaccurate” Pakistan’s claims of having shot down three Indian Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor last month.
Asserting that the Rafale was better than the American F-35 and “much better” than all the Chinese aircraft in the market, the CEO of the firm which makes the Rafale said a mission’s success is not about zero losses but about fulfilling objectives.
“The Indians haven’t communicated, so we don’t know exactly what happened. What we already know is that what the Pakistanis are saying (three Rafales destroyed) is inaccurate,” he said in an interview to French magazine Challenges ahead of the Paris Air Show.
He added, “Furthermore, when you operate combat aircraft, you are fulfilling a mission. Mission success isn’t about having zero losses; it’s about having achieved your objectives.”
Trappier pointed out that during the Second World War, it wasn’t said that the Allies lost the war because they lost troops.
“We’ll see if there were losses or not, and if the war aims were achieved. When the truth comes out, some may be surprised,” he said.
Asked about Rafale’s performance in comparison to other fighter jets, the Dassault CEO said the Rafale is indeed the best aircraft in the world, “better than the F-35 and much better than all the Chinese aircraft in the market”.
“It perfectly meets the needs of the French armed forces and the countries that have purchased it,” he said.
Pakistan has claimed downing a total of six Indian fighter jets including three Rafales during Operation Sindoor.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan has also denied the Pakistani claims of six aircraft being shot down as “absolutely incorrect”. However, he admitted to losses but underlined that mission objectives was the focus and they were achieved.
India had 7 May struck terror camps deep inside Pakistan and this was followed up by precision strikes on multiple Pakistan airbases and military installations after Islamabad attempted to hit Indian cities.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)