New Delhi [India], June 24 : The Indian Air Force has floated a tender for an interim “bridge support” package for its fleet of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft. According to the Request for Proposal (RFP), the proposed contract aims to sustain the fleet beyond September 18, 2026, until a new long-term support agreement is finalised.
The package, sent to Safran Aircraft Engines, includes maintenance, logistics and technical support for 2,250 flying hours beyond the September 2026 deadline.
The development has also brought attention back to Pakistan’s earlier claims that India lost multiple Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor that India has rejected repeatedly .
Although, the Indian Navy has already placed an order for 26 carrier-based Dassault Rafale M jets and has shown interest in acquiring 31 additional aircraft.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has issued a Letter of Proposal for the purchase of 114 more Rafale fighter jets, in a deal estimated at around ₹3.25 lakh crore. France is expected to respond to the proposal.
However, during the May 2025 India-Pakistan standoff, Pakistan claimed that Rafale aircraft including one identified as BS-022, had been shot down. The claim was later questioned after visual evidence showed the same aircraft participating in operational activities, including a Republic Day 2026 flypast.
Several other Rafales, claimed to have been destroyed on Pakistani social media were later seen flying in operational service.
The new IAF tender has added an official record of continued fleet support, reinforcing India’s position that no Rafale combat losses occurred.
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