The French Navy has forcefully denied and debunked a report from a Pakistan-based media outlet that falsely claimed Indian Rafale fighter jets were downed during clashes related to Operation Sindoor earlier this year. The controversy arose after Geo TV, a prominent Pakistani broadcaster, published an article on November 21, attributing fabricated statements to a supposed senior French naval officer, suggesting that a French official acknowledged Pakistani air superiority and the destruction of Indian Rafales.
In a strong rebuttal, the Marine Nationale took to their X account to categorically label the article as fabricated. They highlighted that all quotes attributed to Captain Yvan Launay, who is actually the Commander of the Landivisiau Naval Air Station—responsible for Rafale Marine aircraft operations—were entirely false and misleading.
The French Navy further pointed out significant discrepancies in the report, including the erroneous identification of the officer as “Jacques Launay,” which they argued undermined the credibility of the article and suggested a deliberate intent to mislead the public.
The Navy clarified that Captain Launay’s recent attendance at an Indo-Pacific conference was strictly for discussions around carrier operations and naval aviation training, and that he had made no comments regarding Operation Sindoor, Indian Air Force losses, Chinese electronic warfare, or any comparisons between Rafale and Chinese J-10 fighters.
Geo TV’s article went on to state that Captain Launay criticized India’s management of the Rafale system, claimed Rafale radars “failed” during combat, and mentioned that the Rafale could “defeat J-10C in any combat situation.” The French Navy dismissed all these allegations as completely invented and baseless.
French officials expressed that the misuse of serving officers’ identities is unacceptable, especially as it could mislead the international community and distort narratives surrounding sensitive security issues. They noted that misinformation undermines diplomatic confidence, military engagement, and public understanding of defense matters. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the escalating risks associated with information warfare in today’s digital landscape.
This case fits into a broader pattern of exaggerated or false narratives propagated by Pakistan-based outlets following Operation Sindoor, during which Pakistan experienced substantial military setbacks. Defense analysts suggest that such incidents reflect an ongoing campaign to undermine India’s advanced weapon systems, like the Rafale, in the public eye rather than accurately depict battlefield outcomes.
The French Navy’s emphatic denial decisively exposes the spurious claims of the Pakistani outlet and affirms the integrity of its own officers. By openly addressing this misinformation, France sends a clear message against the distortion of defense narratives and the inappropriate use of official identities for propaganda purposes.
