Dassault Aviation has firmly denied reports suggesting that its Chairman and CEO, Eric Trappier, made any operational or technical remarks concerning the performance of the Rafale fighter jet during India’s recent military action, Operation Sindoor.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, the French aerospace company clarified:
“In response to certain press reports quoting Dassault Aviation Chairman & CEO, Eric Trappier, about the Sindoor operation, Dassault Aviation formally denies Eric Trappier has made any operational or technical comments regarding the use of Rafale in this operation.”
This rebuttal comes after a French news website claimed Trappier had said in an interview that one Rafale aircraft was lost during Operation Sindoor due to a “technical failure at high altitude,” with no involvement of enemy fire. The report added that an investigation into the alleged incident was underway.
However, Dassault Aviation has categorically refuted the attribution, stressing that the CEO has not commented on any such incident or provided technical details related to the operation. The company did not confirm or deny whether any aircraft loss actually occurred, choosing instead to focus on correcting what it called inaccurate representations of Trappier’s statements.
Indian defence officials have not issued any formal statement in response to the French media report or Dassault’s clarification so far. Operation Sindoor, which was reportedly carried out with high-level precision, remains largely classified, with limited official disclosures available to the public.
Rafale jets, inducted into the Indian Air Force beginning in 2020, are among the most advanced fighter aircraft in India’s arsenal. Developed by Dassault Aviation, they are known for their multi-role capabilities and high-altitude performance.
The clarification by Dassault comes amid growing speculation and international interest in India’s operational use of its latest combat aircraft, underlining the need for caution in interpreting unofficial reports.
