France Accuses China of Rafale: “It Tried to Sabotage Sales”

France has accused China of running an international smear campaign against its Rafale fighter jets, citing French military and intelligence sources, who say Beijing is trying to tarnish the reputation of the Rafale fighter jets following recent clashes between India and Pakistan.

French intelligence reports indicated that military attachés in China's embassies abroad were trying to put pressure on countries that had purchased or were planning to purchase Rafale. It was reported that Chinese-made fighter jets were suggested as an alternative, especially to potential buyers such as Indonesia.

Suspicions Increase After Clashes

The four-day India-Pakistan standoff in May was one of the most serious air clashes between the two nuclear powers in recent years. Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian warplanes, three of them Rafale, during the clashes. India partially confirmed the losses but declined to provide details.

French Air Force Commander General Jérôme Bellanger stated that according to technical examinations, only three aircraft were lost. Bellanger explained that these were a Rafale, a Sukhoi and a Mirage 2000, and thus the first combat loss of a Rafale fighter jet was confirmed.

Paris: “Rafale is not a random target”

Following the developments, the French Ministry of Defense made a statement on its official website, emphasizing that Rafale warplanes are not only a military product, but also have a strategic value in terms of the country's defense industry, technological infrastructure and international reputation.

“The Rafale is not a random target. It is a highly capable, exported and effectively used platform in the battlefield. The disinformation campaign against this aircraft targets not only our defense systems, but also France’s strategic autonomy, industrial reliability and international partnerships.”

Alleged Manipulation with Fake Accounts on Social Media

French authorities reported that the campaign, which they claim is being carried out by China, used fake accounts on social media and attempted to mislead the public with manipulated images. It was alleged that artificial intelligence-supported content, scenes from video games and fabricated videos were also used in this process.

Online disinformation experts based in France said they detected more than 1,000 new accounts becoming active on social media platforms during the period of the conflict.

China Denies Allegations

The Chinese Defense Ministry has categorically denied the allegations. The statement said, “These accusations are nothing more than baseless rumors and baseless slander. China has always pursued a responsible and cautious policy regarding military exports. It has adopted the principle of contributing to regional and global peace and stability.”

323 of 533 Rafale Were Sold Abroad

Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale, has produced a total of 533 Rafale fighter jets to date. 323 of these aircraft have been exported to countries such as Egypt, India, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia and Indonesia. Indonesia has placed an order for 42 Rafales so far, making it one of France’s most important customers.

France’s accusations show that the increasingly deepening defense industry competition with China has reached a new dimension. How these developments will affect military supply balances, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, will become clear in the coming period.