Pakistan Claims to Shoot Down Rafales — Then Praises Them?

In a rare and unexpected moment during a press briefing, a senior officer of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) openly acknowledged the capabilities of India’s most advanced fighter jet — the French-made Rafale. Such open praise from a rival nation, especially amid tense defense relations, is almost unheard of.

What the Pakistani Air Vice Marshal Said

Speaking to the media, Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed of the Pakistan Air Force made a striking comment:

“It’s not true that Rafale is a bad aircraft. Rafale is an equally powerful aircraft… a very powerful aircraft… if used properly.”

While this appeared to be an indirect jab at the Indian Air Force’s training or tactics, it was also a subtle acknowledgment of the Rafale’s combat superiority. However, the Air Vice Marshal coupled this rare praise with an unverified claim — that the PAF had shot down three Indian Rafales during a past skirmish. No credible sources have backed this claim, and many defense experts have dismissed it as propaganda.

Nonetheless, the mere admission of Rafale’s strength by a top Pakistani officer was enough to turn heads.

India’s Rafale: The Spearhead of Its Aerial Might

India procured 36 Rafale jets from France in a 2016 government-to-government deal. Customized for Indian requirements, these jets are equipped with advanced avionics, electronic warfare systems, and powerful weaponry. While the deal included some technology transfer, France did not share the aircraft’s source code.

Now, India is moving ahead with plans to acquire the naval version — Rafale-M — for its aircraft carriers. The first delivery is expected by 2028.

Rafale: A Fighter Jet Trusted Across the Muslim World

Rafale’s global presence isn’t limited to India. Several Muslim-majority nations — many with cordial ties to Pakistan — have also embraced the aircraft:

• Qatar: Like India, Qatar owns 36 Rafales, ordered in two phases starting in 2015.
• Egypt: Cairo operates 54 Rafales, with the initial 24 ordered in 2015 and another 30 added in 2021.
• UAE: The United Arab Emirates made headlines in 2021 by placing a massive order for 80 Rafale jets.
• Indonesia: Home to the world’s largest Muslim population, Indonesia has also signed agreements to acquire Rafale fighters.

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