SOURCE: AFI
An article by RFI journalists Olivier Fourt and Franck Alexandre has unveiled a French counter-narrative to the widely reported outcomes of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) airstrikes on Pakistan on May 7, 2025. Based on anonymous military and industrial sources “directly involved in monitoring the operation,” the report suggests that India deliberately signaled its intentions to Islamabad to curb escalation risks, while accepting a controlled aerial confrontation. Presented on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show 2025, this narrative challenges Pakistan’s assertions of dominance and seeks to safeguard the Rafale fighter’s global reputation.
According to the RFI article, India launched Operation Sindoor with full awareness of the potential for escalation, communicating its plans to Pakistan beforehand to limit an uncontrolled bilateral conflict. This strategic move, if verified, explains the rapid mobilization of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) assets, including J-10CE and JF-17 fighters, and the dense activation of radar surveillance and surface-to-air defense systems. The tactic aligns with a controlled de-escalation doctrine, showcasing a nuanced approach that contrasts with the often oversimplified Western media portrayal of Indian military strategy. This level of strategic maturity, rarely highlighted, suggests India aimed to neutralize threats while avoiding a broader war.
The IAF employed Rafale jets in a standoff attack configuration, armed with MICA air-to-air missiles, SCALP-EG cruise missiles, and Hammer guided bombs. The SCALP-EG, with a range of approximately 250 km, allowed strikes from within Indian territory, minimizing pilot risk. The Hammer bombs, with a 70 km range, added precision to the assault. This configuration enabled the IAF to target nine sites in three waves, exceeding initial expectations and catching Pakistani defenses off guard despite the prior warning.French sources claim the Rafales inflicted significant damage on the PAF, alleging the downing of about ten Pakistani aircraft against four or five Indian losses. These figures, lacking official corroboration, should be treated with caution, as they starkly contrast with Pakistan’s claims of shooting down five Indian jets, including three Rafales. If substantiated, this data would upend Islamabad’s narrative, which has touted the success of its J-10CE fighters and PL-15E missiles. The RFI report suggests the IAF’s strikes went beyond terrorist camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab, targeting command posts, surface-to-air defense systems, and at least two PAF-sensitive installations, including potential airbase infrastructure.
The operation’s success, as per the French account, highlights the Rafale’s versatility and the effectiveness of its standoff weaponry. However, the lack of independent verification and the reliance on anonymous sources raise questions about the narrative’s credibility, especially given the fog of war surrounding the May 7-10 conflict.
The RFI narrative reveals that India’s objectives extended beyond the stated goal of dismantling terrorist infrastructure linked to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians. The inclusion of PAF command and defense targets indicates a broader intent to degrade Pakistan’s military response capability. The three-wave assault, executed with precision, reportedly overwhelmed Pakistani defenses, suggesting a tactical miscalculation by the PAF despite its heightened readiness.
France’s decision to break its usual silence on non-European conflicts, particularly at the Paris Air Show, appears driven by commercial interests. The counter-narrative serves as a rebuttal to Pakistan’s influence campaign, which has leveraged the alleged J-10CE success to promote Chinese military technology. With ongoing Rafale export negotiations in Indonesia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, Dassault Aviation and French authorities are keen to protect the aircraft’s image. The timing at the air show, a global platform for defense deals, underscores an effort to counter any negative impact from the May 7 incident on future contracts.
The French claims have sparked debate, with some viewing them as a strategic move to bolster Rafale’s market position, while others question the motives behind the sudden disclosure. Posts on social media reflect skepticism, with users highlighting the lack of concrete evidence and the political undertones of the narrative. Analysts suggest that while the Rafale’s performance may have been impressive, the reported loss ratio—if true—could indicate vulnerabilities in India’s operational tactics, particularly against Pakistan’s integrated air defense network.
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