New Delhi- June 2, 2025 — India’s Rafale fighter jets, long touted as a game-changer, have come under global scrutiny after poor performance in a recent clash with Pakistan’s Air Force. The incident has sparked a diplomatic row between India and France, exposing gaps in India’s combat readiness and aircraft maintenance.
France blames the failure on pilot error and poor upkeep. Dassault, the Rafale’s French manufacturer, has requested an audit of the Indian fleet. However, India has denied access, fearing a blame game.
Combat Readiness Under Global Scrutiny
Reports reveal India’s Air Force suffers from a serious fighter pilot shortage. Only 31 squadrons are active — far below the required 42. Delays in training aircraft like the Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II have worsened the situation, reducing the preparedness for high-intensity operations.
Pakistan’s jets, equipped with Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles, outperformed expectations. This challenged the supposed superiority of India’s Western technology.
Meanwhile, Dassault’s refusal to share Rafale’s source code with India has hampered local maintenance and weapons integration. Indian officials argue this limitation contributed to the underwhelming performance.
International Fallout Grows Over Rafale
France and India remain locked in a bitter exchange. French media, defense analysts, and leaked reports point to deeper operational weaknesses within the Indian Air Force, including concerns over Rafale performance.
Indonesia, which recently signed a deal to acquire Rafales, has now launched an internal audit to assess the deal’s viability.
China has capitalized on the incident. State-run outlets and social media users mocked India’s high Rafale costs and lack of technical control.
Experts suggest India’s quick escalation of the conflict was a move to mask its internal vulnerabilities, including pilot shortages and logistical issues.
The Rafale controversy has shaken global confidence in the aircraft and raised urgent questions about India’s combat readiness in future conflicts. It has also intensified pressure on both governments to address technical and operational challenges swiftly.
