The American media is “celebrating” the crash of Rafale and Mirage-2000 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force, and the question is why.
What is happening?
The event is even described with a phrase from American cinema: “Follow the money”, which was made famous by the 1976 Hollywood thriller “All the President’s Men”, as it embodies the logic that, by following the cash flows, real or potential, one can uncover the deals that are hidden “behind the curtains”.
What did they write?
- The American CNN, citing sources in the Pakistani Ministry of Defense, writes that five Indian fighter jets were shot down – three Rafales, a MiG-29 and a Su-30MKI. The same media outlet also cites an “anonymous” high-ranking French intelligence official, who claims that an Indian Rafale was shot down by Pakistan.
- Reuters, also citing two anonymous American officials, reported that a Chinese-made fighter jet of the Pakistani Army shot down at least two Indian military aircraft. “Another official said that at least one of the downed was a French-made Rafale,” according to Reuters.
- The New York Times cites “anonymous” Indian officials, who claim that India lost at least two aircraft – without naming the type, however, due to a lack of evidence.
- The Washington Post was the latest media outlet to join the “club” of alleged revelations. It also cites an “anonymous” French expert, according to whom India may have lost a Mirage-2000 and a Rafale – both French-made.
What is striking is that all this is happening without any tangible evidence from Pakistan, nor official confirmation from India. The “anonymous” sources, not only do not strengthen the credibility of the information, but rather raise questions.
Is this an organized effort to promote the American F-35 in the Indian market?
Is this whole narrative part of a broader strategic plan to discredit the Rafale, while claiming the large order of 114 multi-role fighters for the Indian Air Force under the MRFA program?
If it is indeed proven that a Rafale was shot down during Operation Sindoor, the image of the French fighter could suffer a serious blow, strengthening the arguments in favor of purchasing 5th generation fighters, such as the American F-35 Lightning II.
The Geopolitical Propaganda Puzzle: Does the Stakes Go Beyond India?
Since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, several European countries and Canada have been looking for alternatives to the F-35, aiming to reduce their dependence on American weapons systems.
The EurAsian Times reported in March that Portugal may cancel its F-35 contract. Similarly, Canada is reportedly reconsidering its deal for 88 F-35 fighters. Furthermore, newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first official visit to France, rather than the US, was seen as a strategic choice – a sign that Ottawa is seriously considering purchasing the Rafale instead of the F-35.
Alternatives to the F-35 are few, with Chinese and Russian fighters (such as the Su-57) ruled out for political reasons.
The remaining candidates are the French Rafale, the Saab JAS 39 Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon. Of these, only the Rafale is considered to be fully independent of American technology – a fact that gives it a crucial advantage in Europe.
Lack of evidence and questions about the Pakistani narrative
Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian fighter jets (three Rafales) with J-10CEs using PL-15 missiles. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Reuters that the J-10s were used to shoot down the French aircraft.
If this is true, why has Islamabad not released the cockpit display videos, which are indisputable evidence?
When asked about this by CNN, the Pakistani Defense Minister cited videos from Indian social media accounts showing unidentified debris. An unprecedented move, when Pakistan could provide official military material.
Fake or old videos without documentation
Videos circulating on social media are not proof. Many have already been identified as older incidents.
India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) noted that a leaked image shows a MiG-29 that crashed in Barmer, Rajasthan, in September 2024, and another of a MiG-21 that crashed in Punjab in 2021. Even if the debris is genuine, there is no proof that it comes from a Rafale. It could be fuel tanks, drones or other components.
Researcher Trevor Ball told the New York Times that an external fuel tank found in Wuyan, Jammu and Kashmir, could belong to a Mirage or Rafale – but it cannot be confirmed that it was hit in combat.
The… dictatorship of “anonymous sources”
Anonymity is often essential in journalism – but it is also the ideal alibi for a campaign of information manipulation or propaganda. When there is no danger to the source, why would a journalist keep it anonymous?
The answer is obvious: to protect interests, to hide motives or to create a “climate”. Why do the US officials who allegedly spoke to Reuters not give their names, when no American fighters are involved? The only logical explanation is that they do not want to be exposed – or are hiding other targets.
From the “war of electric currents” to the “war of fighter jets”
This story is reminiscent of the war between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, as the Eurasian Times points out. Edison, with the support of J.P. Morgan, promoted direct current, while Tesla promoted the more efficient alternating current.
Edison knew that his technology was lagging behind, but he used the media to sow fear around his opponent’s technology, portraying every accident with alternating current as a “mortal danger.” Today, history seems to be repeating itself – with the Rafale in place of alternating current and the F-35 in place of direct current.
Fact or geopolitical expediency?
No one claims that the Rafale is invulnerable. The history of aviation is full of examples of inferior fighters defeating more powerful opponents. However, there is no conclusive evidence to date that Pakistan shot down any Indian Rafales.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has said that 75-80 Indian aircraft took part in Operation Sindoor. If this is true, an accident or friendly force error cannot be ruled out.
But for now, there is nothing to justify the American media’s celebration of the downing of French fighters – beyond geopolitical considerations.
In conclusion, the whole story leaves behind crucial questions
The lack of evidence makes the Rafale downing narrative extremely precarious. It is possible that this case is being used as a tool to damage the credibility of the Rafale and promote the F-35 in sensitive markets, such as India, Canada or Portugal, especially as many countries are trying to reduce their dependence on American weapons systems.
The role of anonymous sources needs more transparency, especially when strategic billion-dollar purchases are affected.
