'To discourage buyers': How China used its embassies to undermine sales of Rafale after Operation Sindoor?

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'To Discourage Buyers': How China Used Its Embassies to Undermine Sales of Rafale After Operation Sindoor

In the complex world of global defense trade, geopolitical rivalries often extend beyond battlefields into diplomatic corridors and media campaigns. A recent French intelligence report has brought to light an alleged effort by China to undermine the sales of France’s flagship Rafale fighter jet following its prominent role in India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025. This operation, marked by intense air combat during India-Pakistan clashes, showcased the Rafale’s capabilities but also triggered a strategic response from China, according to French authorities. Here’s an in-depth look at how China reportedly leveraged its embassies to cast doubts on the Rafale’s performance and promote its own military hardware.

The Context: Operation Sindoor and Rafale’s Role

Operation Sindoor was a significant escalation in India-Pakistan tensions, involving four days of air combat that French intelligence described as the most serious confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in years. The Rafale, manufactured by Dassault Aviation, was a cornerstone of India’s air strategy during the conflict, deployed prominently in strikes against Pakistani targets. Its performance in this high-stakes theater underscored its reputation as one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets, bolstering France’s defense industry and its strategic ties with India and other Asian nations.

However, the operation also provided an opportunity for competitors to challenge the Rafale’s standing. Pakistan’s unverified claim of downing five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, sparked questions about the jet’s effectiveness. While India’s Air Marshal AK Bharti neither confirmed nor denied these losses, stating that “losses are a part of any combat scenario,” the ambiguity fueled speculation that China seized upon to advance its own agenda.

The Alleged Campaign: China’s Embassy-Led Strategy

According to findings from a French intelligence service, cited by The Associated Press, China orchestrated a concerted effort to discredit the Rafale and discourage potential buyers, particularly after its combat debut in Operation Sindoor. The campaign reportedly involved defense attachés in Chinese embassies worldwide, who engaged in a diplomatic push to question the Rafale’s performance and promote Chinese-made aircraft as superior alternatives.

Diplomatic Lobbying

French intelligence alleges that Chinese defense attachés targeted countries that had already ordered Rafales, such as Indonesia, which has committed to purchasing 42 jets and is considering additional orders. These attachés also approached potential buyers, urging them to opt for Chinese aircraft instead. In meetings with security and defense officials from various nations, Chinese representatives echoed a narrative that Indian Air Force Rafales underperformed during the May clashes. This messaging was strategically designed to sow doubts about the jet’s reliability and combat effectiveness.

The French intelligence service learned of these meetings from nations approached by Chinese officials, indicating a coordinated effort to influence decision-makers in key markets. The French Defense Ministry emphasized that the Rafale was not randomly targeted but was singled out because it represents a “strategic French offering.” By attacking the aircraft, China aimed to undermine not only its sales but also France’s broader defense industry and its geopolitical influence in the Indo-Pacific region.


Online Disinformation

In addition to diplomatic efforts, French researchers identified a surge in online content aimed at tarnishing the Rafale’s reputation. Over 1,000 social media accounts, many newly created during the India-Pakistan clashes, spread narratives of Chinese technological superiority. This content included viral posts, manipulated imagery depicting alleged Rafale debris, AI-generated content, and even video-game simulations of combat scenarios designed to portray the Rafale as ineffective. While French military officials could not directly link this online campaign to the Chinese government, the messaging aligned closely with the narratives pushed by Chinese embassy attachés.

Strategic Motives: Why Target the Rafale?

The Rafale is more than just a fighter jet; it is a symbol of France’s defense industrial and technological prowess. With 533 units sold globally, including 323 for export to countries like Egypt, India, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, and Indonesia, the Rafale is a cornerstone of France’s defense export strategy. Its success strengthens France’s security partnerships in Asia, a region where China seeks to assert dominance.

French officials and analysts, including Justin Bronk from the Royal United Services Institute, suggest that China’s campaign was motivated by a desire to limit Western influence in the Indo-Pacific. By amplifying Pakistan’s unverified claims of downing Rafales, China sought to portray its own weaponry—potentially supplied to Pakistan—as superior. This not only undermines France’s defense exports but also weakens the strategic relationships France is building with Asian nations wary of China’s growing military presence.

The French Defense Ministry noted that the disinformation campaign “did not merely target an aircraft, but more broadly a national image of strategic autonomy, industrial reliability, and solid partnerships.” In this context, China’s efforts can be seen as part of a broader geopolitical strategy to counter Western defense industries and promote its own military hardware on the global stage.

China’s Response and the Bigger Picture

When confronted with these allegations, China’s Ministry of National Defense dismissed them as “pure groundless rumors and slander,” asserting that China maintains a “prudent and responsible approach to military exports” and contributes to regional and global stability. However, the consistency of the narratives across diplomatic channels and online platforms suggests a deliberate effort to challenge the Rafale’s market position.

The campaign’s focus on countries like Indonesia highlights the competitive nature of the global arms trade. Indonesia, a key player in Southeast Asia, is a significant market for defense exports, and its decision to purchase Rafales reflects France’s growing influence in the region. By discouraging further orders, China aims to bolster its own defense industry and expand its geopolitical footprint.

Implications for Global Defense Trade

This episode underscores the increasing role of disinformation and diplomatic maneuvering in the global defense market. As nations vie for influence, advanced weaponry like the Rafale becomes a flashpoint for broader strategic rivalries. France’s response, as articulated by its Defense Ministry, emphasizes the need to counter such campaigns by reinforcing the Rafale’s proven capabilities and France’s reliability as a defense partner.

For countries like India, which rely on the Rafale as a critical component of their air force, this incident highlights the importance of verifying combat claims and resisting external narratives that may serve geopolitical agendas. For France, the challenge lies in protecting its defense industry’s reputation while navigating an increasingly competitive and contentious global market.

Conclusion

China’s alleged use of its embassies to undermine Rafale sales after Operation Sindoor reflects the intricate interplay of military, diplomatic, and informational strategies in modern geopolitics. By targeting the Rafale, China sought not only to challenge a rival’s flagship product but also to weaken France’s strategic influence in Asia. As the global arms trade becomes a battlegroundгде for influence, such campaigns underscore the need for transparency, robust defense partnerships, and vigilance against disinformation. The Rafale, with its proven track record and growing export success, remains a potent symbol of France’s defense capabilities—but one that competitors like China are keen to contest.

Sources: The Associated Press, French Defense Ministry, Justin Bronk (Royal United Services Institute)

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