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According to a new report, French intelligence believes that China orchestrated a coordinated effort to damage the reputation and sales of the French-made Rafale fighter jets.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, France is a major defense contractor with a long-established arms industry that ranks among the top exporters in the world. Its flagship products include the Rafale fighter jet, Scorpène-class submarines, CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, and various missile systems. In recent years, France has expanded its reach in defense markets across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, capitalizing on growing demand for high-performance military equipment. As some nations seek to reduce their dependency on US defense contractors—driven by factors like overreliance on a single supplier—France has positioned itself as a reliable alternative.

What’s going on now: First reported by AP citing unnamed French military and intelligence officials, a new intelligence assessment claims that China launched a covert campaign to damage the global reputation and sales of France’s Rafale fighter jet. According to the report, the campaign was initiated following the May 2025 aerial clashes between India and Pakistan, during which Pakistan claimed to have downed multiple Indian aircraft, including up to three Rafales. Although India has only confirmed the loss of one Rafale, the incident marked the fighter jet’s first known combat loss and triggered scrutiny from current and prospective buyers. French intelligence believes that Chinese embassy defense attachés, particularly in Asia, began directly lobbying officials in countries like Indonesia, which have already ordered Rafales to reconsider their purchases in favor of Chinese-made jets like the J-10C and JF-17.

The intelligence report describes a multi-pronged influence operation led by China, combining diplomatic pressure with a widespread disinformation campaign. French officials allege that more than 1,000 social media accounts were created shortly after the India-Pakistan clashes, spreading false or misleading content designed to cast doubt on the Rafale’s performance. This content reportedly included AI-generated visuals, manipulated images of alleged wreckage, and even video game footage presented as real combat scenarios.

The narrative promoted by these accounts emphasized the technological superiority of Chinese missile systems and fighter jets, reinforcing messages echoed by Chinese diplomats behind closed doors.

This all comes as China’s Ministry of National Defence has denied the allegations, calling them “pure groundless rumours and slander.” In its response to the Associated Press, Beijing stated, “China has consistently maintained a prudent and responsible approach to military exports, playing a constructive role in regional and global peace and stability.”