The French military has issued a cautious response to reports that Pakistan shot down French-made Rafale fighter jets during the recent conflict with India.

A spokesperson, speaking during a routine press briefing, stated that details surrounding the incident remain unclear and require further confirmation.

France, the spokesperson said, is closely monitoring the situation and is in direct contact with India to gather information. The spokesperson noted that hundreds of aircraft participated in the fighting and that France is keen to learn from the experience. If confirmed, the loss of a Rafale would mark the first such incident in the aircraft’s two decades of operational service.

The statement follows an earlier, more guarded response from the Indian Air Force. Air Marshal AK Bharti, when questioned about Rafale losses on May 9, acknowledged losses as an expected part of combat but declined to provide specifics.

The downing of the Rafale jets by Pakistan has been widely reported in international media as a significant defeat for India. Military analysts have highlighted this as the first instance of Pakistan establishing air superiority over India by downing such advanced aircraft.

India purchased 36 Rafale aircraft from France in 2019, following the loss of two Indian aircraft to Pakistan. Pakistan authorities said that the PAF had downed three six Indian aircraft in the recent conflict in May, including three Rafales.