Groundless, slander: China denies claims of undermining Rafale jet reputation

The Chinese Ministry of National Defence has denied allegations that it attempted to undermine the global reputation and appeal of the French Rafale fighter jet.

Chinese media, Global Times, in a post on X, said that the Chinese defence ministry labelled the accusations as “pure groundless rumours and slander,” the ministry reiterated China’s commitment to a “prudent and responsible approach to military exports,” and emphasised its role in promoting “regional and global peace and stability.”

According to a report by the Associated Press, Chinese embassies allegedly ran a coordinated disinformation campaign to discredit Rafale jets following their deployment by India during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May.

Citing French military and intelligence officials, the report claims that Beijing used its foreign missions to influence existing and potential buyers of the Rafale, urging them to opt for Chinese-made alternatives instead.

The Chinese defence ministry, however, refuted the claims, saying that it develops defence equipment “to ensure its own security – not to become an ‘arms dealer,’ nor to elevate itself by belittling others.”

It also criticised certain Western politicians and media outlets for interpreting events “through a lens of confrontation,” adding, “This arrogance, projecting their own mind-set onto others, ultimately reveals their own insecurity.”

French intelligence sources cited by AP claim that Chinese embassy defence attachs approached officials from countries that have ordered or are considering purchasing Rafales. During these meetings, the Chinese officials allegedly argued that the Rafales used by the Indian Air Force performed poorly, while promoting Chinese-made weaponry as superior alternatives.

French military officials said the campaign involved viral social media posts, AI-generated content, manipulated imagery portraying fake Rafale debris, and video game-style simulations to misrepresent combat scenarios. Over 1,000 new social media accounts were reportedly created as the India-Pakistan conflict intensified, pushing narratives of Chinese technological superiority.

France’s Defence Ministry described the effort as “a vast campaign of disinformation” aimed at promoting the superiority of Chinese-designed defence systems. “The Rafale was not randomly targeted. It is a highly capable fighter jet, exported abroad and deployed in a high-visibility theatre,” the ministry said on its website.

The ministry further stressed that the campaign went beyond targeting a fighter jet, saying, “By attacking the aircraft, certain actors sought to undermine the credibility of France and its defence industrial and technological base. The disinformation campaign therefore did not merely target an aircraft, but more broadly a national image of strategic autonomy, industrial reliability, and solid partnerships.”

Dassault Aviation has sold 533 Rafale jets so far, with 323 exported to several countries, including Egypt, India, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, and Indonesia. Indonesia alone has ordered 42 aircraft and is reportedly considering additional purchases.

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