Rafale fighter jets
Credit: Reuters File Photo
China reportedly used its embassies to undermine sales of Rafale fighter jet post Operation Sindoor, the French intelligence has found.
As per a report by news agency AP, China's move came after India Pakistan tensions and Beijing made an "effort to hammer reputation and sales of France's flagship Rafale fighter jet".
The French intelligence noted that China's foreign embassies sought to "persuade countries that had bought Rafale fighter," like Indonesia.
The persuasion was for them to not buy more Rafales and to look for other potential buyers to choose "Chinese made planes", AP report stated.
After Operation Sindoor was carried out, researchers and military officials started researching on how Pakistan's China made warplanes and missiles withstand that of India's, which was Rafale.
For France's defence industry, Rafale is a big business. It helps France in strengthening ties with other nations, especially in Asia, where China is emerging as a dominant regional power.
In May, the Indian Embassy had cautioned China's state-run tabloid Global Times to verify messages before posting them on social media on Indian military strikes targeting Pakistan's terror infrastructure.
“(1/n) Dear @globaltimesnews we would recommend you verify your facts and cross-examine your sources before pushing out this kind of disinformation,” the Indian Embassy said in a post on X.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan also acknowledged losses of aircraft in India's military hostilities with Pakistan but dismissed as "absolutely incorrect" Islamabad's claim of downing six Indian fighter jets.
"Absolutely incorrect," he said when asked about Pakistan's claim of shooting down six Indian jets during Operation Sindoor.
French officials are attempting to protect the image of Rafale, which they termed it to be "concerted campaign of Rafale-bashing and disinformation online from Pakistan and its ally China," AP report stated.
The report further stated that the campaign involved viral posts and AI generated content to spread disinformation.
"Officials from China lobbied potential clients to ditch French planes," the intelligence report stated.
Chinese embassy defence attaches target were countries who have bought Rafale or are considering to purchase.
China however has said all the claims are false and "groundless rumours".
Ministry of National Defence in Beijing said, "China has consistently maintained a prudent and responsible approach to military exports, playing a constructive role in regional and global peace and stability," as per the report.
In June, in a move that significantly strengthened India's aerospace manufacturing capabilities, Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) signed four Production Transfer Agreements to manufacture Rafale fighter aircraft fuselages domestically in Hyderabad for India and also other global markets.
This is the first time that Rafale fuselages will be produced outside France marking a historic milestone for India's defense manufacturing sector.
(With PTI inputs)