In an recent interview with Bloomberg TV, indian chief of defense staff Gen Anil Chauhan has officially admitted that india lose their fighter jets during recent armed clashes and incombate the air combat with Pakistan on May 2025 .
In a historic and bold revelation, India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has publicly confirmed that Indian fighter jets were indeed lost during the recent military clashes with Pakistan. This marks a dramatic shift from India’s earlier official stance and signals a more transparent approach to military accountability and public discourse. The statement is already drawing international attention and may lead to new geopolitical consequences in South Asia.
What Did General Anil Chauhan Say?
General Chauhan, during a recent high-profile interview, to the bloomberg TV in singapore admitted that India lost fighter jets during confrontations with Pakistan — a claim that had long been made by Islamabad and afetr that international media were also confirmed that pakistan shot down indian fighter jets including Rafale but denied or avoided in Indian official statements.

He stressed that in modern warfare, such losses are part of strategic risks and that military leadership must embrace transparency and readiness for future conflicts. Though he did not specify the exact number or models of jets lost, the acknowledgment alone marks a significant policy shift. The acknowledgement of aerial losses by the country’s highest-ranking general comes weeks after the two South Asian neighbours (india-pakistan) were engaged in their heaviest and boldest fighting in decades, which involved fighter planes, Drones and heavy cruise missiles.
during the interview the interviewer asked from chief of defense staff general anil chauhan that pakistan claim that they shot down 6 fighter jets of india during the recent aerial combat but cds chauhan denied this statement although chauahan do not specify and mention the numbers of aircrafts shot down by pakistan . as well he expressed his point of view to the interviewer and said that it is not important for us that how much fighter jets were shot down but the important thing is that why our fighter jets were shot down and after that what we learn and and what precautions and safety measures did we take ?
Context: The Feb 2019 India-Pakistan Aerial Clash
The timing and implication of this statement most likely refer to the February 2019 aerial dogfight that occurred following the Pulwama suicide attack. At the time, Pakistan claimed to have shot down two Indian fighter jets . but India admitted only the loss of one MiG-21, flown by Pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by pakistan and later released by Pakistan.
General Chauhan’s remarks suggest there may be more truth to Pakistan’s earlier claims than previously accepted by Indian officials.

Pakistan’s Statements:
On 7 May 2025, India launched the operation called (Operation Sindoor) on pakistan and missile strikes in Pakistan, leading to a military conflict between the two countries. according to india they were successfully achieved, hit and destroy their targets and but in the respond by Pakistan Air Force , Pakistan were successfully shot down 6 fighter jets including three french made Rafale , so in the press conference pakistan army spoke person officially stated that pakistan shot down 6 indian aircrafst including three rafales.

International Media:
1. BBC (UK):
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Updated Headline: “India Confirms Aircraft Losses in Clashes With Pakistan: Pakistan’s Claims Gain Credibility”
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Stated that while India did not specify and mention the number or type of jets they lost, the admission validates parts of Pakistan’s original narrative.
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BBC analysts noted:
“This is the first time India has publicly acknowledged air losses in near real-time, signaling a shift in military transparency.”
2. CNN (USA)
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Coverage Focus:
Emphasized that CDS General Anil Chauhan’s remarks did not deny or confirm the loss of Rafale jets, but the acknowledgment alone lends weight to Pakistan’s broader claim. -
Defense correspondent comment:
“If Rafales were indeed among the aircraft lost, it would raise serious questions about regional air defense capabilities.”
3. Al Jazeera (Qatar)
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al jazeera Highlighted the diplomatic implications, reporting that this confirmation may lead to calls for third-party investigations or de-escalation talks.
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Quoted experts saying:
“Pakistan’s claim that 6 aircraft were downed, once dismissed as propaganda, now appears to have a degree of legitimacy.”
4. Reuters & Associated Press
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Neutral reporting style, but they revised previous articles to reflect India’s admission.
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Noted that the international military attaché visit to Pakistan’s alleged wreckage site is now “more likely.”
5. Defense Analysts and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) Networks
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OSINT channels began revisiting satellite data and social media footage to reassess possible crash sites, especially near LoC and Kashmir.
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Jane’s Defence Weekly reported:
“Chauhan’s acknowledgment reopens the question of how many — and which — Indian aircraft were lost. The Rafale claim is no longer implausible.”
France Statements on Shot Down of Rafale:
France have deeply concern about the recent reports of shot down of RAFALE , The French government is officially said, to be gravely concerned over reports and statements suggesting that India may have lost three Rafale fighter jets—aircraft that form the backbone of its air dominance capability and are central to its power projection across South Asia .
Conclusion:
The official acknowledgment by India’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Anil Chauhan, marks a historic shift in India’s military transparency, lending credibility to Pakistan’s long-standing claims about the recent aerial combat . While the exact number and type of fighter jets lost—especially the possible downing of Rafale aircraft—remain unconfirmed by indian officials, this development has reignited international scrutiny. France’s reaction and the global media’s reassessment indicate that the May 2025 clashes could reshape South Asia’s defense narrative for years to come.
As tensions simmer and both sides pakistan india remain on high alert, the world watches closely. The need for transparency, accountability, and diplomacy has never been greater in the region. Whether this marks the beginning of a new era of honesty or simply another chapter in a long-standing conflict remains to be seen.
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FAQs
1. Did General Anil Chauhan confirm the loss of Rafale jets?
No, General Chauhan did not specifically confirm the loss of Rafale jets. However, he did admit that Indian aircraft were lost during the May 2025 clashes, without specifying the number or models.
2. What did Pakistan claim in May 2025?
Pakistan claimed it shot down six Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets, during Operation Sindoor. These claims were supported by a press briefing from the Pakistan Army.
3. How did the international media respond?
After India’s admission, major global outlets like BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, Reuters, and others revised their coverage, acknowledging that Pakistan’s claims may have merit and deserve further investigation.
4. What was France’s reaction to the alleged Rafale losses?
France expressed grave concern and confirmed that it is in close contact with India to verify the status of the Rafale jets. The French Ministry of Armed Forces has not confirmed or denied the losses but acknowledged ongoing inquiries.
5. What is the significance of this development?
This is the first time in recent history that India has openly acknowledged aerial combat losses to Pakistan, suggesting a potential shift toward transparency — or pressure from international stakeholders demanding accountability.
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