As speculation continues over India’s reported loss of a Rafale fighter jet during Operation Sindoor, Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier has refuted Pakistan’s claims, calling them “inaccurate” and lacking substantiation. Trappier made these remarks in an interview with a French publication ahead of the upcoming Paris Airshow.

Pakistan had claimed it downed three Rafale jets during early May’s brief but intense aerial conflict with India. India has not officially confirmed or denied these reports, leading to widespread speculation. Trappier, however, dismissed the Pakistani version of events, stating, “The Indians did not communicate, so we do not know exactly what happened. What we already know is that the words of the Pakistanis — three destroyed Rafales — are inaccurate.”

The alleged losses have triggered debates in defense circles about the Rafale’s performance under live combat conditions. Responding to such concerns, Trappier stood by the aircraft’s capabilities and stressed the broader context of mission success. “When you operate combat aircraft, you complete a mission. The success of the mission is not having zero loss — it is having achieved your objectives,” he said. Drawing a historical parallel, he added, “During the Second World War, it was not said that the Allies had lost the war because they had lost troops.”

The Dassault chief further remarked that conclusions should be withheld until official details emerge. “We will see if there were losses or not, and if the war goals were achieved. When the truth comes out, some may have surprises,” he said, suggesting that the full operational picture remains classified for now.

Operation Sindoor marked the Indian Air Force’s first major combat engagement involving the Rafale fleet since their induction in 2020. The precision strike campaign has been credited with forcing Pakistan into an early ceasefire, and the IAF has reportedly documented the operation’s strategic success in detail.

While Islamabad’s claims have fueled headlines in Pakistan’s domestic media, defense analysts in India and abroad have expressed skepticism. Many cite a historical pattern of exaggerated claims by Pakistan and the absence of verifiable evidence to back the assertions.

Operation Sindoor is now seen not only as a milestone in India’s modern air combat capabilities but also as a test of credibility in wartime information warfare, where facts often compete with propaganda.

India and Sri Lanka took a decisive step toward strengthening their defense ties today as Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, held a high-level meeting with General Upendra Dwivedi, India’s Chief of Army Staff, at the Army House in New Delhi. The dialogue focused on deepening military-to-military cooperation, advancing strategic collaboration, and reinforcing a joint commitment to peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region.

This significant engagement comes at a time when both countries are recalibrating their defense postures to counter emerging regional challenges. Notably, concerns over China’s rising naval influence, including a proposed $3.7 billion Sinopec oil refinery in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota and past Chinese-Pakistani attempts to supply JF-17 fighter jets, have added urgency to India-Sri Lanka security coordination.

The bilateral meeting aligns with a broader strategic framework, including the recent India-Sri Lanka-UAE agreement to develop Trincomalee into a regional energy hub. The initiative is seen as a counterweight to Chinese influence and a move to secure vital maritime trade routes.

The historical backdrop of the 1980s, marked by the Indian Peace Keeping Force’s deployment and subsequent casualties, has given way to a mature and evolving defense relationship. Since 2009, joint exercises have increased steadily, and recent operational successes such as India’s Operation Sindoor have become platforms for shared tactical expertise, particularly in counterterrorism and maritime security.

The meeting, conducted in a ceremonial setting reflecting mutual respect and military camaraderie, concluded with a shared vision for defense collaboration in an increasingly complex regional landscape. Both leaders reiterated the importance of a strong bilateral defense relationship in shaping a stable and secure Indo-Pacific.

The Indian Army will reportedly initiate the procurement of 150 Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) kinetic systems equipped with 12-gauge semi-automatic shotguns, in a strategic move to strengthen the nation’s defenses against the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in future conflicts. These systems will be designed to disable drones weighing up to 30 kilograms, particularly multicopters and quadcopters expected to be deployed in future hostile operations along the borders.

The acquisition will form part of a larger military strategy to counter increasingly sophisticated drone threats that may evade traditional electronic countermeasures. The shotgun-based systems will provide a kinetic solution for close-range engagements and are expected to complement the Indian Army’s existing radar and jamming-based counter-drone infrastructure.

This development will follow the successful trial of the indigenous Rudrastra Hybrid VTOL UAV, which was conducted on June 11, 2025, at the Pokharan Firing Range. Developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), the Rudrastra will demonstrate capabilities such as extended flight endurance, real-time surveillance, and precision targeting across a 170-kilometer range. The Army’s future plans will include simultaneous investments in indigenous drone development and anti-drone defenses.

Experts predict that the upcoming deployment of shotgun-based CUAS systems will provide a practical response to real-time battlefield scenarios where drones operate at low altitudes or in complex environments. These systems will be expected to offer rapid deployment and utility in areas where electronic solutions may be ineffective, such as urban or forested zones.

Globally, similar solutions have already been deployed and will likely inspire India’s implementation. Belgium’s Kleine-Brogel Air Base has used Benelli M4 shotguns for drone defense, while Ukraine’s 53rd Mechanised Brigade adapted similar systems in 2024. The Drone Guardian version of the Benelli M4 is known to offer effective engagement up to 100 meters, an approach India will likely model.

Nonetheless, the Army will face limitations with this technology. Experts caution that such weapons will have restricted range and require accurate visual tracking, making them less effective at long distances. These shotguns will not replace more advanced counter-drone technologies but will serve as an additional line of defense in a multi-layered system.

The Indian Army’s future counter-drone doctrine will likely focus on hybrid solutions combining kinetic, electronic, and AI-based technologies. With drone warfare expected to play an increasingly central role in modern conflicts, this upcoming shotgun acquisition will mark the beginning of a broader adaptation strategy to meet the evolving threat landscape.

Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, PVSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command (ARTRAC) reviewed infrastructure projects and development initiatives at The Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun, where he was received by RIMC Commandant Colonel Rahul Agarwal. Col Agarwal highlighted the institution’s consistent excellence in academic and military preparatory results, particularly in the UPSC’s NDA and NA entrance exams.

RIMC has once again affirmed its status as a premier feeder institution to the Indian Armed Forces by producing a record number of successful candidates in the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I) 2025. A total of 28 cadets from RIMC cleared the UPSC-conducted exam, with one cadet securing All India Rank 1 and five others placing in the top 20, as per results released on April 28, 2025.

Lt Gen Sharma, with over four decades of distinguished service, including leadership roles in counter-terrorism and high-altitude operations, lauded the RIMC faculty for their dedication and the high standards maintained in cadet grooming. He remarked that the college plays a pivotal role in building a pipeline of future military leaders aligned with India’s strategic goals and operational readiness doctrines, as noted in the 2023 Journal of Defence Studies.

The General’s visit featured interactions with staff and cadets, an inspection of campus facilities, and a reaffirmation of RIMC’s role as a cornerstone of defence education in India. Founded in 1922, RIMC continues to nurture young aspirants for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, instilling values of discipline, leadership, and national service. The recent NDA results further cement RIMC’s legacy as one of India’s most successful military preparatory institutions.