China Allegedly Manipulating Information to Harm Rafale Jet Sales, Says French Intelligence
French intelligence agencies have accused China of conducting a disinformation campaign to undermine the reputation and international sales of the Rafale fighter jet. The allegations arise after the deployment of the Rafale during the May clashes between India and Pakistan. According to French defense officials and intelligence reports obtained by the Associated Press, Chinese embassies and defense attachés were instrumental in persuading countries to reconsider their Rafale deals and instead opt for Chinese-made aircraft.
The French Defence Ministry has confirmed that the Rafale was the target of a "vast campaign of disinformation," designed to promote the alleged superiority of Chinese defense products. The campaign reportedly utilized various tools, including doctored images, viral social media posts, AI-generated content, and video-game simulations showing the destruction of Rafale jets. These were distributed through more than 1,000 newly established social media accounts during the India-Pakistan conflict.
The clashes between India and Pakistan, which involved numerous aircraft, resulted in losses on both sides. Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian jets, including three Rafales. Meanwhile, French military officials acknowledged the loss of one Rafale, one Mirage 2000, and one Sukhoi fighter. The incidents have raised concerns among Rafale-operating countries, such as Indonesia, which has already ordered 42 jets and is contemplating further acquisitions.
Sources within French intelligence claim that Chinese defense attachés were actively spreading narratives about the Rafale's inadequate performance during private discussions with military and defense officials from countries that either operate or are considering operating Rafale jets. These efforts purportedly aim to elevate confidence in Chinese fighter jets while diminishing France’s influence, particularly in the Asian region.
Although there is no direct evidence tying these campaigns to the Chinese government, French officials believe they were orchestrated in a highly coordinated manner. China's Ministry of National Defence has dismissed the allegations as "groundless rumours and slander," asserting that it follows a responsible policy regarding military exports.
Experts suggest that China may be capitalizing on the Rafale's high-profile deployment to destabilize France's defense relationships in the Indo-Pacific region. According to the French Defence Ministry, "By attacking the aircraft, certain actors sought to undermine the credibility of France and its defense industrial base."
France views the Rafale as a crucial element of its strategic autonomy and global defense alliances. With over 530 jets sold, including 323 exported to nations such as India, Egypt, the UAE, and Indonesia, maintaining the aircraft’s reputation is vital for France’s standing in global defense.
Analysts indicate that the alleged campaign by Beijing could be part of a broader geopolitical strategy to diminish Western influence in Asia by questioning the reliability of its military technology exports.
