Indian Pilots Are Ill-Trained – Rafale Maker France

By Staff Reporter | around.pk | May 11, 2025

Excerpts from a confidential report prepared by Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of Rafale fighter jets, have revealed that several Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were not fully trained to operate the aircraft in combat scenarios. This disclosure has come in the wake of Pakistan’s successful targeting and destruction of a Rafale jet near the Line of Control (LoC), an incident that has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of India’s high-profile defense procurement.

The French defense publication Le Défense Journal first reported the existence of a briefing sent by Dassault to India’s Ministry of Defence in April 2025. The document reportedly outlines concerns about the accelerated deployment of Rafale jets and indicates that certain IAF pilots had bypassed or only partially completed advanced combat simulation and emergency response training modules. While Dassault Aviation has not publicly commented on the leak, multiple sources familiar with the matter have verified the contents.

India’s $8.7 billion agreement for 36 Rafale jets, signed in 2016, has long been a subject of controversy. Marketed as a game-changing acquisition by the Narendra Modi government, the deal was intended to bolster India’s air superiority against regional threats. However, questions around the absence of a competitive bidding process, lack of technology transfer, and the exclusion of local production partners such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have shadowed the transaction from the outset. The recent combat failure has added a new layer of scrutiny to what was already seen by many as a politically motivated and overpriced deal.

In the aftermath of the Rafale’s downing, social media in India has erupted with criticism. Hashtags like #RafaleScam and #ModiExposed trended nationally, with users demanding transparency and accountability. “We paid billions for flying machines our pilots weren’t trained to handle,” posted one user. Several opposition figures have called for an independent parliamentary inquiry, labeling the issue not just a defense lapse, but a betrayal of taxpayer trust.

Military analysts suggest that deploying pilots with inadequate training into high-stakes conflict zones may compromise not only mission success but also national security. They argue that India’s focus on acquiring high-profile weapons platforms must be matched with sustained investment in personnel readiness, realistic simulation training, and maintenance ecosystems. “Modern fighter aircraft are only as effective as the people flying them,” said retired Air Marshal R. K. Sharma. “Technology without training is a hollow sword.”

Internationally, the incident and the subsequent Dassault report have sparked concerns among potential buyers of the Rafale platform, especially in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Defense procurement advisors in countries such as Indonesia and the UAE have reportedly requested additional information on the Indian deployment experience as part of their ongoing evaluation of Dassault’s offerings.

Despite growing criticism, the Indian Ministry of Defence has yet to issue an official statement in response to the leaked briefing. Defense ministry insiders, speaking anonymously, acknowledged internal discussions over potential procedural lapses in training protocols. Meanwhile, Dassault’s silence on the matter has only added to the speculation, prompting calls for the company to clarify the nature and scope of its training responsibilities under the original contract.

The incident has cast a long shadow over India’s defense acquisition policies, highlighting a recurring pattern of prioritizing optics over outcomes. With billions invested and national prestige on the line, observers argue that the Rafale episode should serve as a cautionary tale — one that underscores the critical importance of integrating advanced systems only when operational readiness, pilot proficiency, and strategic alignment are fully ensured.