Paris: France has publicly raised concerns over what it calls a covert Chinese campaign to discredit its Rafale fighter jets, accusing Beijing of attempting to undermine confidence in the aircraft's performance through misleading content and digital manipulation.
According to sources from French military and intelligence circles, Chinese embassy attachés are allegedly leading a subtle but systematic effort to discourage prospective buyers notably Indonesia—from finalizing Rafale acquisition deals. The Associated Press reported that the campaign includes the circulation of AI-generated images, fake crash visuals, and an influx of social media accounts claiming the superiority of Chinese-made jets over France’s Rafale.
This digital smear strategy reportedly intensified after the successful deployment of Rafale jets by India during Operation Sindoor—a military response launched in May following heightened tensions with Pakistan. India’s effective use of the French-made aircraft reportedly caught the attention of defense analysts across Asia, spurring interest from several nations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
A French official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the matter, claimed that the objective of the campaign is clear: to sway potential buyers like Indonesia towards Chinese defense products and away from the Dassault-manufactured Rafale fleet.
In response to the allegations, China has flatly denied any involvement, calling France’s claims “groundless and defamatory.” Chinese officials told AP that they reject the assertion of orchestrating an anti-Rafale narrative, labelling it as Western paranoia over China’s growing technological influence.
The Rafale, a twin-engine multi-role fighter, is a cornerstone of France’s global defense exports. So far, 533 Rafales have been sold, with 323 exported to key allies and partners, including India, Egypt, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, the UAE, and Indonesia. The jet’s reputation for performance, adaptability, and advanced technology makes it a top contender in global arms markets.
For Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer, such propaganda if proven true poses a direct threat to its export pipeline and France’s broader defense industry, which heavily relies on arms sales to sustain technological advancement and industrial scale.
While diplomatic tensions between France and China are not new, this fresh spat over aerospace dominance and information warfare signals how global defense markets are increasingly becoming battlegrounds—not just of engineering, but of narrative.