The Indian Air Force’s proposal seeking support for all 36 Rafale fighter jets has dealt a fresh blow to Pakistan’s claims that several aircraft were shot down during Operation Sindoor.
According to the Air Headquarters’ Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in June and seen by India Today, the IAF has invited bids for a five-month bridge support package covering all 36 Rafale fighter jets acquired from France under an inter-government agreement signed in 2016.
The document requests maintenance, logistical and technical support for the fleet after September 2026 and is based on an estimated 2,250 flight hours during the five-month period. The bridge support arrangement is intended to ensure that operations are uninterrupted until a long-term support contract is completed.
The proposal assumes the availability of the entire Rafale fleet, a detail that contradicts Pakistani claims that several aircraft were destroyed during Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Pakistan has repeatedly confirmed through official statements and social media campaigns that its forces shot down several Indian Rafale fighters during the operation. India rejected these claims as misinformation and part of a propaganda effort aimed at undermining the success of the Indian Air Force’s mission.
The latest document adds to previous evidence that has cast doubt on Pakistan’s assertions. Several Rafales whose tail numbers were circulated online were later photographed and recorded as “Destroyers” engaged in operational flying activities.
Rafale and Operation Sindoor
The Rafale fleet played a key role during Operation Sindoor, carrying out precision strikes against targets inside Pakistan. Defense officials maintained that the aircraft operated as intended and consistently denied any combat losses during the operation.
The June 2026 tender is now the latest official record cited as supporting India’s position that its Rafale fleet remains intact.
India is eyeing another 114 Rafale aircraft
Even as questions persist over Operation Sindoor, India is moving ahead with its plans to acquire 114 additional Rafale fighter jets from French defense company Dassault Aviation under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme.
The proposed takeover emerged in recent discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Ministry of External Affairs said discussions on the Rafale program have progressed, with Modi emphasizing the ‘Make in India’ initiative and calling for a framework based on co-development, co-design and co-production of future defense projects between India and France.
Under the MRFA programme, 18 aircraft are expected to be delivered in flying condition, while the remaining aircraft will be manufactured in India with around 50 per cent local content.
