French Commander Says Indian Rafale Jets Downed Due to Pilot Error, Not Technical Fault

France – French commander **Captain Yoke Lonné** has confirmed that during the **May 2025 aerial clash** between Pakistan and India, Indian Rafale jets were **destroyed due to pilot performance issues**, not mechanical failures.

Captain Lonné, a veteran with **25 years of experience flying Rafale jets** on critical missions across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, praised the **Pakistan Air Force** for effectively handling the situation with strong defense and strategic planning.

He noted that despite the involvement of **over 140 fighter jets** during the night of the engagement, **Pakistan outperformed India** in terms of aerial combat effectiveness.

Captain Lonné clarified that the **Rafale radar systems and technical capabilities were not deficient**; rather, the outcome depended on how they were operated. He also rejected Indian claims attributing the results to **Chinese influence**, asserting that Pakistan’s air power and strategy were the true reasons behind its success.

Highlighting the significance of the engagement, Captain Lonné lauded Pakistan’s aerial capabilities, describing the clash as a **rare opportunity to evaluate the combat performance of pilots, fighter jets, and air-to-air missiles**. He emphasized that lessons learned from this analysis could be instrumental in shaping future military strategies.