Rafale Jet Crash Turns India’s ‘Operation Sandhoor’ into a Disaster: German Newspaper
The downing of a French Rafale fighter jet by China’s J-10C multirole combat aircraft has turned India’s so-called “Operation Sandhoor” into a complete disaster, according to a report published in a leading German newspaper.
The article claims that India’s attempted airstrike on Pakistan backfired as Indian pilots faced stiff resistance from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
The downing of the Rafale jet has become a significant warning for Western powers relying on their technological superiority, especially France and other European nations.
The report highlights India’s miscalculation in underestimating Pakistan’s air defense capabilities, as well as the effectiveness of the Chinese J-10C fighter jet and PL-15 air-to-air missile systems. India, allegedly overconfident in its technological edge, failed to assess the preparedness and response of Pakistani forces.
On a related note, a report in the American journal The National Interest has warned that China’s J-10C could pose a serious threat to the global export market of American F-16 jets. The report explains that in the recent India-Pakistan conflict, Chinese-made weapons and fighter aircraft performed beyond Western expectations.
According to the journal, the J-10C—equipped with PL-15 missiles—effectively neutralized India’s initial advancements and held back its air operations. China is now actively positioning the J-10C as a credible alternative to the U.S.-made F-16.
“If Chinese companies succeed in disrupting the export market for American F-16s, it could deal a significant blow to the U.S. defense industry,” the report concludes.
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