- By Shubham Bajpai
- Tue, 23 Jun 2026 06:40 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- IAF seeks bridge support for all 36 Rafale fighter jets.
- Debunks Pakistan's repeated claims of downing Indian Rafale aircraft.
- Confirms entire Rafale fleet operational and fully intact.
Pakistan's claims of downing multiple Indian Rafale fighter jets during the 88-hour war between the two countries, in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, have once again fallen flat as the Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for bridge support for the entire fleet of 36 aircraft.
The RfP has been sent to Frane's Safran Aircraft Engines, inviting bids for a five-month bridge support. The RfP seeks maintenance, logistics and technical support to sustain the fleet beyond September 18, 2026.
The document estimates 2,250 flying hours during the five-month bridge support period. The total flying hours were calculated in the RfP based on 150 flying hours per aircraft per year, i.e., 12.5 hours per month for 36 jets for five months.
The calculation in the proposal confirms that India's entire fleet of Rafale remains operational and intact, undermining Pakistan's fiercely propagated narrative that several of the aircraft were destroyed during Operation Sindoor.
ALSO READ: Fact Check: Edited Video of PM Modi And French President Macron Goes Viral With False Claims
Rafale's R-Day formation debunked Pakistani lies
Had there been any loss, the fleet strength would have reflected in the proposal. It is not the first time that Pakistan's huge but unsubstantiated claims have become a matter of doubt.
Earlier evidence also indicates Pakistan's claim of downing a Rafale is merely propaganda and part of social media narrative warfare to undermine the success of the IAF's operations.
During the May 2025 standoff, Pakistan released some pictures and claimed to have shot down Rafales. They claimed that the aircraft with tail number BS-022 was shot down during the military standoff.
However, Pakistan's hollow claim was proved a lie after over eight months, on the Republic Day, 2026. Rafale with tail number BS-022 flew in a formation that day, manifesting the air force's air dominance and debunking Pakistani claims. The video was shared by the IAF, and it quickly made headlines.
114 Rafale purchase on cards
Meanwhile, India is moving forward with its plan to purchase another 114 Rafale fighter jets under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme from French Defence Firm Dassault Aviation.
The procurement was also discussed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron during their recent talks.