IAF Tender for Support of All 36 Rafales Counters Pakistan’s Claims of Fighter Jet Losses
New bridge support contract confirms operational sustainment requirements for the entire Rafale fleet
New Delhi: A recent Indian Air Force (IAF) tender seeking a bridge support package for all 36 Rafale fighter aircraft has effectively undermined Pakistan’s repeated claims that several of the advanced jets were destroyed during Operation Sindoor last year.
While Pakistan has consistently maintained that it shot down multiple Rafale fighters during the conflict, Indian military officials have repeatedly dismissed those assertions as baseless. The latest procurement document issued by the IAF further reinforces India's position by confirming support requirements for the complete fleet of 36 aircraft.
According to a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by Air Headquarters in June, the IAF has invited bids for a five-month “bridge support” contract covering all 36 Rafale fighter jets currently in service. The tender was issued ahead of the expiry of the existing maintenance and support arrangement in September 2026.
A bridge support contract serves as a temporary sustainment mechanism designed to ensure uninterrupted operational readiness, logistics support, technical assistance, and maintenance services until a longer-term support agreement is finalised. Such contracts are routinely employed to prevent any capability gaps in frontline combat fleets.
The RFP specifically states that the proposed contract is intended for the sustenance of the Rafale fleet beyond 18 September 2026 for a period of five months. Significantly, the document notes that the support package should cater to the operation of all 36 Rafale aircraft, with each platform expected to maintain an annual utilisation rate of approximately 150 flying hours.
India acquired 36 Rafale multirole fighter aircraft from France under a €7.87 billion inter-governmental agreement signed in September 2016. Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the aircraft were delivered along with a comprehensive package that included advanced weapon systems, simulators, training infrastructure, and a 10-year maintenance and support programme.
With the original support arrangement nearing its expiration, the proposed bridge contract will ensure continued maintenance, spare parts availability, and technical support for the fleet until a new long-term sustainment agreement is concluded.
Defence observers note that the tender’s explicit reference to the entire fleet of 36 aircraft provides further evidence contradicting Pakistan’s narrative regarding alleged Rafale losses during Operation Sindoor. The document indicates that the IAF continues to plan maintenance and operational support based on the availability of all 36 aircraft within its inventory.
The development highlights the importance of long-term sustainment planning for modern combat aircraft fleets while reaffirming the Rafale’s central role in the Indian Air Force’s operational capabilities and air power strategy.
