Indian Thought Latest News & Views
New Delhi. According to French (French ) intelligence and defense officials, China has instructed its embassies abroad to question the credibility of Rafale fighter jets, especially after the Indo-Pak conflict in May. Its purpose is said to be to affect the sale of France’s ambitious aircraft.
What did Pakistan claim?
Pakistan claimed that it shot down five Indian planes, including three Rafales. But France rejected this statement and admitted the loss of only one Rafale, one Mirage-2000 and one Sukhoi.
China’s ‘disinfo’ strategy
The French intelligence report said that China propagated the “weak performance capability” of Rafale in meetings with defense officials abroad.
China is also suggesting that existing customers like Indonesia choose alternative aircraft and new customers are attracted to Chinese aircraft.
Campaign intensified online too
Many fake posts and pictures were spread on social media, showing Rafale debris.
Claims were spread through video game clips and AI-created content that Rafale is weaker than Chinese-made aircraft.
During the Indo-Pak conflict in May, more than a thousand new social media accounts were created, which sent the message of ‘Chinese technology is the best’.
France’s response
The French Defense Ministry called it a massive disinfo campaign on Rafale and France’s reputation.
France says that this attack is not just on the aircraft, but also on its strategic and technological self-reliance.
China denied it in response and said that this is a baseless rumor and China is a responsible defense exporter.
Global impact and prospects
Rafale has been sold to eight countries worldwide (Indonesia, Egypt, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Greece, Croatia, Serbia). Indonesia has bought 42 and is considering buying more.
Defense expert Justin Bronk (Army/Air Force analyst) says that through this campaign, China wants to reduce France’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
