China Accused of Discrediting Rafale Jets via Embassies After India-Pak Clash

France accuses China of using digital propaganda to discredit Rafale jets after Operation Sindoor 

France has accused China of initiating a focused campaign to taint the reputation and sales of its Rafale fighter aircraft. This allegation came to be after India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May. Chinese defence attaches at embassies worldwide were reportedly instructed to discredit the performance of the Rafale. 

This information seems to have been gatheredy by French intelligence sources and was later quoted by the Associated Press. The attempt was made to sell Chinese-produced jets as superior alternatives in secret meetings with representatives of countries that had ordered the Rafale or were negotiating it.

Pakistan Alleged Shooting Down of Rafale

The scandal began to take form immediately after Pakistan alleged that it had shot down five Indian warplanes in the four-day military conflict. Three of them were said to be Rafales. The allegation was widely spread in the media and social sites.

India has confirmed it lost planes but has not given further details. Air Marshal AK Bharti, during a press conference, stated, “Losses are part of any combat scenario,” without specifying the types of jets that were lost.

French Air Force Chief Gen Jerome Bellanger later explained that, according to evidence available, three Indian planes were lost: a Rafale, a Mirage 2000, and a Russian-produced Sukhoi. If true, it will be the first-ever Rafale combat loss, and an important point for prospective purchasers.

French Intelligence Identifies Spurious Content, Lobbying

The campaign went beyond diplomatic pressure, according to French defence officials. It involved an online wave of disinformation, ranging from supposedly fake images of Rafale wreckage to AI-generated pieces of content depicting Chinese jets as being more sophisticated.

Over 1,000 new social media handles were established to disseminate these stories. The intelligence report also adds that Chinese government officials pressured nations such as Indonesia, Egypt, and the UAE, all countries that have signed or are in the process of signing Rafale agreements.

These moves created skepticism among purchasers and compelled France to undertake damage control in the form of diplomatic briefings and explanations.

China Rejects Allegations As ‘Slander’

China has vigorously rejected the charges. Its Ministry of National Defence termed France’s assertions ‘baseless rumors and slander.’

“China has always adhered to a responsible and cautious policy regarding the export of arms,” a ministry spokesman said to the AP. “We contribute to international and regional peace positively.”

Rafale Seen as Strategic Target

French officials are convinced that the Rafale was not only a military target, it was a symbolic one. The aircraft symbolizes France’s drive for strategic autonomy and its stand-alone defence manufacturing ability.

By undermining the credibility of the Rafale, officials are convinced China sought to undermine France’s clout, especially in Asia, where both countries are competing for strategic defence alliances.

Dassault Aviation has sold 533 Rafales so far, with 323 to nations such as India, Egypt, Qatar, Greece, and Indonesia. The combat debut of the jet with the Indian Air Force has given it a global spotlight.

France Fights Back with Diplomacy and Defence

In a bid to contain the backlash, France embarked on an all-out diplomatic offensive. Defence officials and Dassault managers are directly approaching buyers in order to counter disinformation and assure them of Rafale’s strengths.

Dassault CEO Eric Trappier has also shot down Pakistan’s assertion that three Rafales were shot down publicly as ‘completely inaccurate’ and ‘politically motivated.’