Shares of French warplane manufacturer Dassault Aviation dropped by 6% on Tuesday after Pakistan announced that its air force had shot down five Indian fighter jets, including three “Rafales.”
According to Pakistani defense sources, the destroyed aircraft included three Rafales, one Mig-29, one Su-30, and one surveillance drone. These aircraft had attempted to target Pakistani territories with stand-off missiles while remaining in Indian airspace, but the Pakistan Air Force not only tracked them but also hit them in time.
Despite India’s numerous claims and multi-billion-dollar contracts, the outcome of the Rafale in India’s adventure turned into not just a technical failure but also a diplomatic embarrassment.
Pakistan’s timely and splendid counteraction not only shattered the myth of the Rafale’s “strength” but also undermined the confidence of global investors. As a result, Dassault Aviation’s shares plummeted, just like the Rafale aircraft themselves.
As usual, Indian media immediately claimed that they had shot down Pakistani aircraft, but Pakistani defense spokesmen dismissed these claims as baseless and deceptive. The spokesman clarified, “No aircraft of ours was downed, nor did we suffer any loss. This is just an attempt to deceive the Indian public to avoid mourning the death of the Rafale.”
According to the spokesman, the Pakistan Air Force not only intercepted all Indian aircraft on their way but also safely brought back all Pakistani aircraft. After the destruction of the Rafale jets in Indian service, there are reports that shares of the French company have collapsed.
