Azaad Fact Check has exposed another piece of misinformation spread by India-based accounts on X.
The false claim said that Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier denied any Indian Rafale jet losses during Operation Sindoor.
The viral post claimed: “What Pakistan is claiming about downing three Rafales is simply not true.”
Trappier has confirmed that no Indian Air Force Rafale jets have been lost in combat “to enemy fire”, said specifically in context of Operation Sindoor. Just one technical incident under probe, says Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation.
On July 8, Dassault Aviation issued a press release rejecting the fabricated claims, affirming that its CEO did not make any such comments.
In a press statement, Dassault Aviation said that Eric Trappier has made no comments indicating that there were “technical or operational” faults with Rafale aircraft.
The company has emphasised that the quotes being attributed to the CEO of Dassault Aviation circulating online are fabricated.
Azaad Fact Check noted that no official statement exists in which the CEO comments on the performance of Indian Rafales in the operation.
The India-based X account that shared the quote has a known history of spreading fake news. Multiple accounts picked up the same misinformation, amplifying the false claim.
Dassault’s formal denial confirms that the viral quote is not real. It is just another part of wave of disinformation being spread by India.
Dassault Aviation made no comments about how many Rafale aircraft were downed by Pakistan in the May conflict.
