India suffers major setback as Rafale jet downed in Pakistan attack
The nighttime attack by India on Pakistan from May 6 to May 7, 2025, resulted in the loss of at least one Rafale aircraft. This is a particularly painful loss, given that only 36 of these aircraft are in service.
Several photos have already appeared online showing parts that could belong to a Rafale aircraft, such as engine components. However, the appearance of a vertical stabilizer with the aircraft's number and a statement from a high-ranking French intelligence official to CNN leave no doubt. This marks the second loss of an aircraft by the IAF, as the first one is likely a Mirage 2000.
It seems that India lost the aircraft numbered BS-001, which is the first one received from France. This is a significant setback for the Indian Air Force, which is still gradually replacing its outdated fleet with new aircraft.
Rafale — one of the best machines in the Indian Air Force
Currently, India has 36 Rafale aircraft, and between 2028 and 2030, 26 units of the naval version Rafale M will join them. They are the main strength of the Indian Air Force after the Su-30MKI, which features Western avionics.
Rafale aircraft first flew in the 1990s and entered service in 2001. Interestingly, the first units were in the naval version M, and only later did the land versions C and B (single and two-seater) enter service. India became the second operator of these aircraft long before their recent export boom.
Rafale — multirole platform with enormous capabilities
The Rafale boasts excellent maneuverability and is equipped with a rich set of sensors, ranging from a passive IRST system to a modern radar with active electronically scanned array (AESA) and an advanced warning and electronic warfare suite. Unfortunately, it is unclear how the Pakistanis captured the first Indian Rafale.
Moreover, the Rafale can carry over 9,000 kilograms of armament on 13 or 14 pylons, depending on the naval or land version. Available options include long-range air-to-air Meteor missiles, short/medium-range air-to-air MICA missiles (variants guided with RF radar or IIR heat source), AM 39-Exocet anti-ship missiles, Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles, guided bombs AASM Hammer, and even ASMP-A missiles with thermonuclear warheads (only available to France).
This impressive arsenal significantly enhances the combat capabilities of the Rafale aircraft, even though it is not built with stealth technology. Combined with France's relatively liberal approach to arms exports, which is less restrictive than that of the US, where specific foreign policy considerations must be met, the Rafale has become an attractive choice on the international market. Many countries worldwide are eager to maintain independence from American influence while possessing equipment superior to Russian solutions.
