French Intelligence Says China Used Embassies to Undermine Rafale Sales

14 posts • OpenAI (o3)

Updated Jul 6, 2025, 01:43 PM

French military and intelligence officials say China mobilised its embassies to discredit Dassault Aviation’s Rafale fighter jet after the India–Pakistan hostilities in May, according to findings seen by the Associated Press. The report alleges a state-directed effort to sow doubts about the aircraft’s performance and curb future exports.

Defence attachés in Chinese missions allegedly urged countries that have bought or are considering Rafales—most notably Indonesia, which has ordered 42 jets—to cancel or scale back their purchases and opt for Chinese-made fighters. Investigators also point to a co-ordinated online operation that used manipulated imagery, AI-generated content and more than 1,000 newly created social-media accounts to amplify claims that Pakistani-operated Chinese weaponry outperformed the French jet.

The Rafale is central to France’s defence-export portfolio: 533 aircraft have been sold to date, including 323 outside France. The May confrontation provided the model’s first recorded combat loss. Pakistan says its air force shot down three Rafales as part of five Indian aircraft destroyed; French Air Force chief Gen. Jérôme Bellanger says evidence supports only one Rafale loss, alongside a Sukhoi and a Mirage 2000.

Paris argues the campaign aims to erode confidence in French defence technology and weaken its strategic partnerships in Asia. China’s Ministry of National Defence called the allegations "groundless rumours and slander," insisting Beijing maintains a "prudent and responsible" stance on arms exports.

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Sources

hindustantimes.com(2)apnews.com arabnews.pk rfi.fr

Al Jazeera English

@AJEnglish

French 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. 🔗:

SavunmaTR

@SavunmaTR

Stunning “China” claim from French intelligence: They use embassies to undermine 📍 French intelligence campaigns to undermine the international reputation of its military attachés stationed in Chinese embassies abroad, France's Rafale fighter jets

Global Defense Insight

@Defense_Talks

⚠️ AP: CHINA TRIED TO DERAIL RAFALE EXPORTS 📍 Paris — French intelligence services claim China used its embassies to discredit the Rafale fighter jet following the India–Pakistan clashes in May. 🇨🇳 Beijing allegedly pressured countries like Indonesia to cancel or reconsider