Indian Air Force confirms all 36 Rafale jets operational, refuting Pakistan claims

A June 2026 Request for Proposal issued by the Indian Air Force seeks bridge‑support, maintenance and logistics for the entire fleet of 36 Dassault Rafale fighter jets. The tender, covering an estimated 2,250 flying hours, demonstrates that none of the aircraft were lost during the 2024 Operation Sindoor, directly contradicting Pakistan’s repeated statements that it had shot down several Rafales.

Photographic evidence of the tail‑numbers cited by Pakistan as destroyed showed those aircraft participating in Indian Republic Day fly‑pasts, further undermining the loss narrative. The confirmation comes as India advances its Multi‑Role Fighter Aircraft programme, discussing the acquisition of 114 additional Rafales with France and expanding indigenous production under the Make‑in‑India initiative.