Aircraft & UAVs

Dassault Rafale

The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine multirole fighter built for air defense, reconnaissance, close air support, and deep strike missions. Indian Air Force Rafales were directly reported in the 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict as stand-off strike aircraft during Operation Sindoor, using French-origin precision munitions while wider aircraft-loss claims remained contested.

2025 India-Pakistan ConflictIndia

Conflict side: India
Built by: Dassault Aviation
Built in: France

Dassault Rafale, Twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: RB005 Dassault Rafale Indian Air Force

Profile

Type: Twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft
Conflict side: India
Origin: France
Service note: Entered French service in the 2000s; in Indian Air Force service from 2020

air defense precision fires strike

Service History

In service: Indian Air Force Rafales began arriving in India in July 2020 with No. 17 Squadron at Ambala.
Used by: Indian Air Force
Wars: 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict

Production History

Designer: Dassault Aviation
Designed: 1980s-1990s development period
Built by: Dassault Aviation
Built in: France
Variants: Rafale EH, Rafale DH

Specifications

Crew: One or two, depending on variant
Dimensions: 10.90 m wingspan, 15.30 m length, 5.30 m height
Maximum takeoff weight: 24.5 t
External load: 9.5 t across 14 store stations
Maximum speed: Mach 1.8 / 750 knots
Service ceiling: 50,000 ft

Conflict Usage

2025 India-Pakistan Conflict: Side: IndiaRole: Stand-off precision strike aircraftprecision fires deep strike strike
Used by the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor for reported stand-off strikes with SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided munitions; public loss and effect claims from the wider air battle remain disputed and are not treated here as established.

Dassault Rafale Images

Dassault Rafale, Twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: RB005 Dassault Rafale Indian Air Force

Dassault Rafale, Twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2 — Source: RB005 Dassault Rafale Take Off Indian Air Force

Dassault Rafale, Twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3 — Source: RB005 Dassault Rafale Indian Air Force

Dassault Rafale, Twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 4 — Source: RB 005 Dassault Rafale Indian Air Force

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Sources

RafalePublisher: Dassault Aviation | Note: Supports manufacturer background and the Rafale's multirole mission set. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Rafale Specifications and Performance DataPublisher: Dassault Aviation | Note: Supports dimensions, weights, store stations, speed, thrust, and service-ceiling specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Induction of Rafale In Indian Air ForcePublisher: Press Information Bureau, Government of India | Note: Supports Indian Air Force Rafale service context, including the first five aircraft arriving at Ambala for No. 17 Squadron in July 2020. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Rafale Jets Hit Pak Terror Camps with Scalp Missiles, Hammer BombsPublisher: India Today | Note: Supports 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict direct use: Rafale jets were used by India during Operation Sindoor with SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided munitions, according to the report's sourcing. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 RB005 Dassault Rafale Indian Air ForcePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for an Indian Air Force Rafale training flight at Bordeaux-Merignac; Commons lists Dylan Agbagni as author and CC0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 RB005 Dassault Rafale Take Off Indian Air ForcePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for an Indian Air Force Rafale takeoff at Bordeaux-Merignac; Commons lists Dylan Agbagni as author and CC0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 RB005 Dassault Rafale Indian Air Force 50294857462Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for an Indian Air Force Rafale at Bordeaux-Merignac; Commons lists Dylan Agbagni as author and CC0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 RB 005 Dassault Rafale Indian Air ForcePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for an Indian Air Force Rafale; Commons lists Dylan Agbagni as author and CC0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-06-21