French Commander Confirms Pakistan’s Superior Air Combat Performance

A senior French naval commander has confirmed that Pakistan successfully handled a complex aerial battle against India in May 2025, attributing the outcome to better tactical execution rather than technological superiority.

Captain Jacques Launay, commander of the Naval Air Base at Landivisiau, told delegates at an international Indo-Pacific conference that the Pakistan Air Force was “much better prepared” when more than 140 fighter jets faced each other during the night of May 6-7, 2025.

“It was a very complicated situation in which more than 140 fighter jets were involved. Pakistan handled that complicated situation better than its adversary,” Captain Launay said during his briefing.

The French commander, who has 25 years of experience flying Rafale jets, addressed questions about the aircraft’s performance during the engagement.

He explained that the issue with Rafale’s radar system was operational rather than technical, stating, “There was nothing wrong with the war machine, but the machine was not used properly.”

Captain Launay emphasized that the Rafale “can compete and defeat the Chinese J-10C in any combat situation” when operated correctly. He dismissed suggestions that Chinese aircraft technology was the deciding factor in the battle outcome.

Armed forces worldwide have conducted studies about the India-Pakistan air combat to gain insights for future conflicts, viewing it as a rare opportunity to examine pilot performance, fighter jets, and air-to-air missiles in active combat.

Despite the battle analysis, Captain Launay praised the leadership of both nations for preventing escalation into full-scale war, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace in the region.