French military and intelligence officials have concluded that China orchestrated a campaign to undermine the reputation and sales of the French-made Rafale fighter jet after its combat deployment in the India-Pakistan clashes of May. According to findings seen by The Associated Press, Chinese embassy defense attachés actively lobbied countries that had purchased or were considering purchasing Rafales—most notably Indonesia—to reconsider their decisions and instead opt for Chinese-made alternatives.
The India-Pakistan conflict, the most serious in years, saw Indian Rafales face off against Pakistani forces equipped with Chinese military hardware. Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, which raised questions among nations that had bought the jet from Dassault Aviation. India acknowledged losses but did not specify numbers, while French Air Force Chief Gen. Jerome Bellanger confirmed only three Indian aircraft losses: a Rafale, a Sukhoi, and a Mirage 2000.
French officials allege that China, often in coordination with Pakistan, launched a disinformation campaign targeting the Rafale. This included viral social media posts, manipulated images, AI-generated content, and video-game simulations, all aimed at portraying Chinese military technology as superior. Over 1,000 new social media accounts amplified these narratives during the clashes. While French military officials could not directly link the online campaign to the Chinese government, French intelligence reported that Chinese defense attachés echoed these claims in diplomatic meetings.
China’s Ministry of National Defense dismissed the allegations as groundless, insisting on its responsible approach to military exports. France’s Defense Ministry, however, described the campaign as a targeted effort to undermine France’s defense industry and strategic credibility.
With 533 Rafales sold globally—323 for export—France sees the jet as a symbol of its industrial and strategic autonomy. Analysts suggest China’s actions are aimed at weakening France’s partnerships in Asia and limiting Western influence in the Indo-Pacific. The episode highlights the increasing use of disinformation and diplomatic pressure in global arms competition
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