A rumor on X suggests that the Indian Rafale was outperformed by Pakistani J-10Cs. The incident has fueled debate about the aircraft’s true value.

A digital controversy at the heart of Indo-Pakistani tensions

Since the publication of a message on the X (formerly Twitter) platform on May 13, 2025, a technical and strategic debate has opened up on the operational value of the Rafale in a context of regional confrontation. The message, widely shared by Pakistani and Chinese accounts, claims that J-10Cs of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) inflicted a tactical loss on Rafales of the Indian Air Force (IAF) during an air skirmish over Sindoor, a border region subject to chronic tensions.

No official confirmation has been released by the armed forces concerned. However, specialist circles have seized on the story. On the one hand, some analysts see this as classic psychological warfare, practiced by both Islamabad and Beijing. On the other hand, the virulence of the reactions in India highlights a fragility in the perception of air superiority acquired by the IAF since the acquisition of the Rafale.

This episode reactivates unresolved tensions in the Indo-Pakistani conflict, where air superiority plays a central role. In 2019, the IAF was heavily criticized after the loss of a MiG-21, despite its attempts at modernization. The introduction of the Rafale, a French multi-role fighter jet, was supposed to restore the technological gap. But the image effects are clashing with perceptions that are being exploited and manipulated in the Indo-Pakistani information environment.

A technical analysis of the capabilities of the aircraft in question

The claim that the J-10C has an advantage over the Rafale warrants a rigorous assessment of the technical and tactical parameters. The Chengdu J-10C, a Chinese fighter jet, is a 4.5+ generation aircraft equipped with a KLJ-7A AESA radar, integrated jamming systems, and long-range PL-15 missiles. Its operational ceiling is approximately 18,000 meters and its cruising speed reaches Mach 1.2, with a maximum speed of Mach 2.2.

Its rival, the Dassault Rafale B/C, used by the IAF, has RBE2 AESA radar, Meteor missiles for BVR (Beyond Visual Range) engagements, and a SPECTRA electronic warfare suite, considered one of the most comprehensive in service. The Rafale can fly up to 15,240 meters at Mach 1.8, with an architecture designed for multi-theater versatility.

On paper, the Rafale retains superiority in radar range, tactical link quality, and endurance. The Meteor, with a range of over 200 kilometers, outperforms the PL-15 in certain engagement profiles. But in close combat or defensive tactics scenarios, the J-10C can take advantage of a slightly higher thrust-to-weight ratio, thanks in particular to its WS-10B thrust vector engine on the latest models.

The terrain, altitude, rules of engagement, and level of training will largely determine the outcome of a confrontation. The mountainous Sindoor area, close to the line of control, makes radar engagements less effective. In this context, Chinese or Pakistani aircraft, flying in a familiar and coordinated environment, may gain a temporary advantage, without this reflecting any general technological inferiority of the Rafale.

A battle of influence over the perception of the Rafale

The real issue at stake in this episode is not so much the tactical reality of the confrontation, which remains unclear, as the way in which it is being exploited in the media and strategic environment. In India, the acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft cost around $7.8 billion, including a large maintenance, ammunition, and training package. Each aircraft was valued at an average of €217 million with the options selected.

As a result, any questioning of the superiority of the Rafale in the Indo-Pakistani airspace is immediately exploited. Supporters of Indian strategic autonomy see this as criticism of France’s choices, and some observers close to the pro-Russian movement are calling for a shift towards more economical aircraft such as the Su-30MKI or national projects such as the Tejas Mk2.

On the other side, Pakistan and its digital outlets seized on the incident to question the coherence of India’s strategy. The message released on May 13 was part of a series of publications aimed at undermining the credibility of the Rafale, which is one of the pillars of India’s doctrine of air superiority in the north of the country.

This strategy of disinformation or influence, often coupled with blurred images, incomplete data, or unverifiable accounts, is less about establishing operational truth than undermining confidence in modern weapons systems in an environment where psychological warfare is also waged on social media.

Limited but revealing questioning

Despite the virality of the information, there is little tangible evidence to support the operational superiority of the J-10C over the Rafale. However, this episode sheds light on several important developments. First, the fragility of technological storytelling in countries that invest heavily in platforms perceived as symbols of power. Second, the need for controlled communication on the part of the armed forces to prevent the information vacuum from being filled by adversaries.

The Rafale, a French fighter jet, retains its status as a high-end platform in the Indian arsenal. Its ability to operate in a wide range of missions—air superiority, deep strike, nuclear deterrence—remains intact. It is deployed in two squadrons based in Ambala and Hasimara, close to sensitive areas with China and Pakistan.

Nevertheless, the Sindoor episode should prompt the IAF to strengthen its post-mission analysis, collaborative combat training, and electronic protection capabilities. Like any complex system, the Rafale requires full integration into an appropriate doctrine, with regular updates to its sensors and weapon systems. Without this, even a technologically advanced aircraft can be caught out by more agile or better prepared adversaries.

Finally, the international impact of this controversy should be put into perspective. While some specialized media outlets have reported on the affair, none of the Rafale’s buyers (Egypt, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, Indonesia) have publicly expressed any concern. France, via Dassault Aviation, did not deem it necessary to comment, leaving India to manage its communications. This silence illustrates a classic stance in the field of air superiority: weapons remain above all political, and their effectiveness cannot be measured solely by the flow of online publications.

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