Pakistan's repeated claims of having shot down Indian Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor have come under fresh scrutiny after official Indian Air Force (IAF) documents indicated that all 36 Rafale aircraft procured by India remain fully operational. The revelation has cast serious doubt on narratives circulated by Pakistan and several Pakistan-backed social media accounts, which had alleged that multiple Rafale fighters were destroyed during the operation.
According to official records dated June 15, 2026, the Directorate of Engineering (Rafale) at Air Headquarters issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to French engine manufacturer Safran Aircraft Engines for a "Bridge Support" package. The document explicitly states that the Indian Air Force continues to operate all 36 Rafale fighter aircraft acquired under the landmark 2016 India-France intergovernmental agreement.
The proposal highlights the requirement for continued technical and maintenance support beyond September 2026 to ensure uninterrupted operational readiness of the fleet. As part of the IAF's long-term sustainment strategy, the bridge support arrangement has been designed to cover the entire Rafale fleet, reinforcing the aircraft's role as a key component of India's air power.
The maintenance support package has been structured around the operational requirements of all 36 Rafale fighters over a five-month period. According to the tender documents, each aircraft is expected to log an average of 150 flying hours annually.
Based on these projections, the fleet is estimated to undertake approximately 2,250 flying hours during the bridge support period. Defence observers note that such planning would be difficult to reconcile with claims that several aircraft had been lost during recent military operations.
The reference to maintenance and support requirements for all 36 Rafales has drawn particular attention, as it directly contradicts assertions made during Operation Sindoor regarding alleged losses suffered by the Indian Air Force.
The documents also shed light on the scope of the original Rafale acquisition contract signed between India and France in 2016. Beyond the delivery of 36 advanced fighter aircraft, the agreement included associated equipment, consumables, spare parts, and maintenance support for a period of five years.
With the initial support arrangement nearing its conclusion on September 18, 2026, the proposed bridge support package is intended to ensure continuity in technical assistance, logistics, and maintenance services until a longer-term framework is put in place.
Defence experts point out that such support contracts are standard practice for advanced combat aircraft fleets and play a crucial role in maintaining operational readiness and mission capability.
During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan had repeatedly claimed that Indian Rafale fighter jets had been shot down, a narrative that gained traction across several social media platforms. However, the newly surfaced Air Force documentation appears to challenge those claims by indicating that all 36 Rafale aircraft remain part of the IAF's operational inventory.
The disclosure has renewed questions about the credibility of information circulated during the conflict and highlights the importance of verifiable official records in assessing competing claims regarding military operations.
As discussions surrounding Operation Sindoor continue, the latest Air Force documents provide a significant piece of evidence suggesting that India's entire Rafale fleet remains available for operational deployment, contradicting reports of aircraft losses that emerged during the conflict.
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