French officials allege China’s foreign embassies leading charge to undermine Rafale sales after India-Pakistan conflict in May, says report.
French military and intelligence officials claim China has deployed its embassies to spread doubts about the performance of French-made Rafale jets following the aerial combat between India and Pakistan in May.
The Associated Press news agency, quoting French officials, reported on Sunday that Beijing is working to harm the reputation and sales of France’s flagship fighter aircraft.
Four days of India-Pakistan clashes in May were the most serious confrontation in years between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, which included air combat involving dozens of aircraft from both sides.
Military officials and researchers have since been digging for details of how Pakistan’s Chinese-made military hardware – particularly warplanes and air-combat missiles – fared against weaponry that India used in air strikes on Pakistani targets, notably French-made Rafale fighters.
Sales of Rafales and other armaments are big business for the French defence industry and help Paris to strengthen ties with other nations, including in Asia, where China is becoming the dominant regional power.
Pakistan says its air force downed five Indian planes during the fighting, including three Rafales. French officials say that prompted questions about their performance from countries that have bought the fighter from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation.
India acknowledged aircraft losses but did not say how many. French air force chief General Jerome Bellanger said he has seen evidence pointing to just three aircraft losses – a Rafale, a Russian-made Sukhoi and a Mirage 2000, which is an earlier generation French-made jet.
France has accused China of spreading propaganda to damage the reputation of its Rafale fighter jets and promote Chinese alternatives, particularly the J-10C, in the wake of the recent India-Pakistan conflict. French military and intelligence officials allege that Chinese embassies are involved in orchestrating a disinformation campaign aimed at undermining Rafale sales globally.
According to French officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, Beijing is deliberately circulating negative narratives about the Rafale fighter jet to boost the international market appeal of Chinese combat aircraft. They claim that Chinese diplomats in various countries are attempting to dissuade potential Rafale buyers by spreading rumors and slander.
However, China has firmly rejected the allegations, dismissing them as baseless and mere rumors. A spokesperson for Beijing described the accusations as an attempt to deflect attention from the Rafale’s performance during the conflict.
The French-made Rafale, produced by Dassault Aviation, had been seen as a game changer for India in the recent war with Pakistan. Nevertheless, India lost three Rafale jets during the intense frontline combat, a fact New Delhi has publicly acknowledged. Following these losses, Dassault Aviation’s share price reportedly saw a sharp global decline, while the stock value of China’s J-10C fighter jet — credited with downing the Rafales — rose significantly.
Dassault Aviation has sold 533 Rafale aircraft globally, with 323 delivered to India, Egypt, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, Indonesia, and other nations. The Rafale, a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet, is renowned for its advanced multi-targeting capabilities and versatility, earning respect from various air forces around the world.
The dispute highlights the fierce competition in the international arms market, where military performance, reputation, and diplomatic maneuvering often play crucial roles in shaping sales and alliances.
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