‘Extensive Disinformation’: French Navy Refutes Pakistani Journalist’s Claim On India’s Rafale Losses

Last Updated:November 23, 2025, 14:24 IST

BJP leader Amit Malviya, reacting to the development, said Pakistan’s “misinformation machinery” had once again been exposed.

French Navy Debunks Pakistani Rafale Loss Claims, Calls ‘Air Superiority’ Narrative Fake. (File Pic)

Pakistan’s latest attempt to circulate misinformation about India has backfired once again, with the French Navy publicly debunking an article by Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir. The report, published by Geo TV, claimed that a French naval officer had confirmed Pakistan’s “air superiority" over India during the May 2025 conflict, assertions now categorically dismissed as false.

French Navy exposes false claims

In a rare and direct statement, the French Navy issued a clarification on X, calling out “misinformation and disinformation" published by Hamid Mir. “These statements were attributed to Captain Launay who never gave his consent for any form of publication. The article contains extensive misinformation and disinformation," the post read.

The French Navy also flagged the article in question, headlined, “French commander confirms Pakistan air superiority in May 2025 combat with India." This public rejection marks a significant diplomatic embarrassment for Pakistan, whose media ecosystem has repeatedly amplified unverified claims related to India’s Rafale fleet.

BJP leader Amit Malviya, reacting to the development, said Pakistan’s “misinformation machinery" had once again been exposed. He noted that the fabricated claims about Rafale losses during Operation Sindoor had become a pattern in Pakistani propaganda.

“The French Navy has called out Pakistan’s Geo TV and its correspondent Hamid Mir for spreading “misinformation and disinformation." In his report, Hamid Mir peddled the same old, fabricated claims about Rafales and the so-called May conflict and has now been publicly exposed. When official institutions start debunking their propaganda, you know how desperate Pakistan’s misinformation machinery has become. Incidentally Hamid Mir has several friends in Indian media. Spot them," read Amit Malviya’s post on X.

The French Navy has called out Pakistan’s Geo TV and its correspondent Hamid Mir for spreading “misinformation and disinformation."In his report, Hamid Mir peddled the same old, fabricated claims about Rafales and the so-called May conflict and has now been publicly exposed.… https://t.co/KakWUDSQwU— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 23, 2025

Hamid Mir, one of Pakistan’s most prominent journalists, authored the disputed piece for Geo TV. His X account had earlier been blocked by the Indian government for spreading false narratives in the past.

Malviya highlighted Mir’s connections within sections of the Indian media, suggesting coordinated attempts to circulate anti-India narratives. “When official institutions start debunking their propaganda, you know how desperate Pakistan has become," he said.

Rafale at the heart of misinformation

The Rafale, manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation, has been central to India’s air combat capability and a frequent target of Pakistani misinformation since India procured the aircraft.

During Operation Sindoor in May 2025, a swift military campaign launched after the Pahalgam massacre, Rafale jets played a critical role in India’s offensive. Pakistan, in response, claimed to have shot down multiple Rafales using Chinese-made systems. These assertions, however, were consistently refuted by independent observers, Western intelligence and now by France itself.

Dassault CEO Eric Trappier previously clarified that no Rafale was shot down by Pakistani forces. India lost one Rafale during the operation, but the crash was attributed to a technical malfunction rather than enemy engagement.

Operation Sindoor involved targeted Indian strikes on terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The conflict witnessed air and missile exchanges.

News world ‘Extensive Disinformation’: French Navy Refutes Pakistani Journalist’s Claim On India’s Rafale Losses

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