PARIS: French military and intelligence officials allege that China is actively working to damage the reputation and sales of France’s Rafale fighter jets, particularly in the wake of the India-Pakistan aerial clashes in May.
French officials claim that Chinese embassies have been spearheading a covert campaign to raise doubts about the performance of the French-made Rafales. These efforts reportedly target countries that have already placed orders, such as Indonesia, with the aim of redirecting them toward Chinese-manufactured fighter aircraft instead.
A French military official, speaking anonymously, shared the findings with AP, stating that Beijing’s actions appear designed to curb the growing international footprint of the Rafale, a key asset of France’s defence exports.
The allegations come after a four-day confrontation between India and Pakistan in May—the most intense since 2019—in which both nations deployed dozens of combat aircraft. The conflict has spurred military analysts and officials to scrutinize the effectiveness of the weapons systems used, including India’s French-made Rafales and Pakistan’s Chinese-made jets and air-to-air missiles.
Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian aircraft during the exchange, including three Rafales—a claim that has reportedly led to skepticism among some Rafale-buying nations regarding the jet’s combat capabilities.
Rafale sales are a cornerstone of France’s defence industry and strategic diplomacy, particularly in Asia, where Paris is seeking to maintain influence amid China’s growing regional dominance.
While Dassault Aviation, the maker of the Rafale, has not commented publicly on the claims, French officials view the alleged disinformation campaign as a calculated effort by China to undermine one of France’s most successful military exports.
France Defends Rafale Jet Amid Alleged Disinformation Campaign
India has acknowledged the loss of aircraft during its May conflict with Pakistan but has not disclosed exact figures. However, French Air Force Chief General Jérôme Bellanger stated he has reviewed evidence confirming the downing of three aircraft: one Rafale, a Russian-made Sukhoi, and a Mirage 2000—an earlier generation French fighter. Notably, this marked the first known combat loss of a Rafale, which has been exported to eight countries.
“Naturally, the nations that have purchased Rafales began asking questions,” said Gen. Bellanger. In response, French officials have launched efforts to contain reputational damage, countering what they allege was a coordinated online disinformation campaign led by Pakistan and supported by China.
According to French authorities, the campaign featured viral social media posts, doctored images allegedly showing Rafale wreckage, AI-generated content, and video-game simulations passed off as real combat footage. French researchers specializing in online influence operations identified over 1,000 newly created social media accounts amplifying claims of Chinese military superiority during the India-Pakistan conflict.
French Intelligence Flags Embassy Involvement
While French military officials say they lack direct evidence tying the online campaign to Beijing, the French intelligence service has noted that Chinese defence attachés repeated the same talking points during meetings with officials from countries that have either purchased or are considering purchasing Rafales. These attachés reportedly criticized the Rafale’s performance and lobbied in favor of Chinese-made alternatives.
According to French intelligence, multiple foreign governments later informed Paris of such diplomatic efforts, reinforcing concerns about a broader effort to undermine French defence exports.
The French Ministry for Armed Forces described the situation as “a vast campaign of disinformation,” aimed at promoting “the superiority of alternative equipment, notably of Chinese design.”
“The Rafale was not randomly targeted. It is a highly capable fighter jet, exported internationally and deployed in a high-profile operational context,” the ministry stated on its official website.
China Denies Allegations
In response to the allegations, China’s Ministry of National Defence dismissed them as “pure groundless rumours and slander,” asserting that China adheres to a “prudent and responsible” policy on military exports, and plays a “constructive role” in regional and global security.
Dassault Aviation, the Rafale’s manufacturer, has sold 533 units to date, with 323 of those exported to countries including Egypt, India, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, the UAE, Serbia, and Indonesia. Indonesia has so far ordered 42 Rafales and is reportedly considering additional purchases.
