Indian Rafale Jet Shot Down by Pakistan, Confirms French Intelligence Official – CNN

Indian Rafale Jet Shot Down by Pakistan, Confirms French Intelligence Official – CNN

[Dhaka, May 8, 2025] – Amid rising military tensions between Pakistan and India, Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian Air Force jets, including three advanced French-made Rafale fighters. This marks the first known combat loss of a Rafale aircraft.

Speaking to CNN, a senior French intelligence official stated, "We can confirm the loss of one Rafale and are investigating whether more were also downed." The statement comes as the French Ministry of Defense has yet to issue any official comment on the incident.

Pakistan Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said, "In retaliation for India’s 24 missile strikes on six locations, Pakistan shot down five Indian fighter jets and one combat drone." The aircraft reportedly included three Rafales, one MiG-29, one Su-series jet, and an Israeli-made Heron drone.

The downed aircraft were reported in several locations including Bathinda, Jammu, Akhnoor, Srinagar, and Awantipur.

Debris from one of the crashed jets in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) reportedly bears a label from a French manufacturer, according to media sources. However, aviation experts caution that it's too early to definitively say whether the wreckage belongs to a Rafale. One CNN analyst said, "There are markings from a French supplier, but it's inconclusive whether they are from a Rafale."

Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of the Rafale jet, has not responded to CNN’s requests for comment. Following the news, shares of Dassault dropped by €5.40 (1.64%) on the Paris Stock Exchange, bringing the stock price down to €324.

Analysts suggest that questions about the Rafale’s performance in combat could lead to a further 5% decline in Dassault’s stock. The incident has also sparked renewed confidence in the capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), especially in cooperation with China on the JF-17 and J-10C fighter jets.

As of now, Indian authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the incident.