ISLAMABAD, May 29 (Alliance News): – International media reports have raised serious concerns about the performance of India’s French-made Rafale fighter jets during recent tensions with Pakistan, sparking friction between the Indian government and the French defense giant Dassault Aviation.
According to reports, Dassault Aviation requested to send a team of experts to India to assess the technical shortcomings highlighted during the conflict.
However, Indian authorities rejected the inspection request, citing national security concerns. The French team intended to investigate performance flaws and address growing doubts about the aircraft’s combat capabilities.
The issue has alarmed other Rafale customers as well. Indonesia has reportedly started reviewing its recent fighter jet deal with Dassault following India’s experience.
The poor showing of Rafale jets during the conflict, particularly against Pakistan’s effective use of Chinese-made PL-15 missiles, has shaken confidence in India’s high-cost defense acquisitions.
India paid approximately $288 million per Rafale aircraft, yet reports suggest the Indian Air Force has not gained full operational control of these jets.
A major sticking point has been Dassault’s refusal to provide the source codes of the Rafale’s critical mission systems and avionics—systems crucial for combat readiness, weapons integration, and pilot training.
This refusal, experts say, has significantly limited India’s ability to utilize the Rafales effectively in actual combat scenarios. Defense analysts further pointed out that the recent skirmishes revealed deep-rooted flaws in India’s air defense preparations, including an acute shortage of trained pilots.
A December 2024 report noted that India’s pilot shortfall rose from 486 in 2015 to 596 in 2021. Additionally, India currently operates only 31 fighter squadrons, well below the required 42 squadrons needed for wartime preparedness.
The developments have prompted calls for a strategic reassessment of India’s defense policies. Despite investing heavily in French military hardware, the Indian Air Force’s struggles in the face of Pakistan’s Chinese missile technology have cast doubt on its overall combat capability.
