Pakistan’s repeated claims that India lost several Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor have once again been contradicted by an official Indian Air Force (IAF) document. A recent Air Headquarters Request for Proposal (RFP) shows that all 36 Rafale aircraft acquired by India are currently in service, challenging Islamabad’s assertions of combat losses.

The document, issued in June and accessed by India Today, seeks bids for a bridge support package for the complete fleet of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft. This is the same number of jets India purchased from France under the government-to-government agreement signed in 2016. The proposal covers maintenance, logistics and technical support services required to keep the fleet operational beyond September 2026.

According to the RFP, the support arrangement will remain in place for five months and is intended to ensure uninterrupted operations until a long-term support contract is finalised. The document also mentions that the fleet is expected to complete approximately 2,250 flying hours during this period.

The proposal completely nullifies Pakistan’s claims of multiple Indian Rafale aircraft shot down during Operation Sindoor. Defence observers note that if any Rafale jets had actually been destroyed, the number of aircraft mentioned in the maintenance and support proposal would likely have been lower. Instead, the document clearly accounts for all 36 aircraft currently in service with the Indian Air Force.

Pakistan had repeatedly claimed through official statements and social media campaigns that its forces had successfully targeted and shot down several Indian Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. The operation was launched by India in response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Indian authorities consistently rejected these allegations and described them as part of a disinformation campaign aimed at undermining the success of the operation.

The latest document further strengthens India’s position and follows earlier evidence that had already raised serious questions about Pakistan’s claims. In the weeks following the operation, several Rafale aircraft that had been declared “destroyed” by Pakistani social media accounts were later seen participating in operational flights. Photographs and videos showing these aircraft in service weakened the credibility of the claims made by Pakistan.

The Rafale fighter jets played a significant role during Operation Sindoor. The aircraft were used to conduct precision strikes on targets located inside Pakistan. Defence officials have repeatedly stated that the Rafale fleet performed according to expectations during the operation. They have also consistently denied reports suggesting that any Rafale aircraft were lost in combat.

With the release of the June 2026 tender, the Indian Air Force now has another official record supporting its position that the entire Rafale fleet remains operational. The document has delivered yet another setback to Pakistan’s narrative regarding the alleged destruction of the aircraft.

At the same time, India is continuing efforts to expand its Rafale fleet. The government is moving forward with plans to acquire 114 additional Rafale fighter jets from French defence company Dassault Aviation under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme. The proposed purchase was discussed during recent talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Ministry of External Affairs stated that discussions related to the Rafale programme have made progress. During these talks, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of the "Make in India" initiative. He also advocated a framework based on co-development, co-design and co-production for future defence projects between India and France.

Under the proposed MRFA programme, 18 Rafale aircraft are expected to be delivered in flyaway condition. The remaining aircraft will be manufactured in India. The plan aims to achieve around 50 per cent indigenous content in the locally produced jets, supporting both defence modernisation and domestic manufacturing capabilities.

The latest Air Force document, therefore, not only challenges Pakistan’s repeated claims regarding Operation Sindoor but also highlights India’s continued confidence in the Rafale platform. With all 36 aircraft accounted for and future acquisitions under discussion, the Rafale remains a key component of India’s air power strategy.