China deployed missions to run misinformation campaign against Rafale jets to undermine sales: Report

PTC News Desk: China deployed its missions to spread misinformation about the performances of French-made Rafale jets after they saw combat in India Pakistan's clashes in May to undermine the sales of the French high-tech advanced planes, according to a report news agency The Associated Press reported, citing French military and intelligence officials.

According to the report, the campaign included viral social media posts, manipulated imagery showing supposed Rafale debris, AI-generated content and video-game depictions to simulate supposed combat. More than 1,000 social media accounts newly created as the India-Pakistan clashes erupted also spread a narrative of Chinese technological superiority, according to French researchers who specialize in online disinformation.

According to the findings by the French Intelligence service, defence attaches in China's foreign embassies led a campaign to persuade countries not to buy French-made fighter Rafale jets and to encourage other potential buyers to choose Chinese-made planes. The move was aimed to hammer the Rafale's reputation.

The development comes days after China's 'all-weather ally' Pakistan claimed that it shot down five Indian planes during the fighting, including three Rafales. French officials say that prompted questions about their performance from countries that have bought the fighter from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation. However, Eric Trappier, the CEO of Dassault Aviation, the French company that makes Rafale jets, called Pakistan's claim "inaccurate".

Recently, India's chief of Defence Staff, Gneral Anil Chauhan admitted that an unspecified number of its fighter jets were shot downed during the four days conflict with Pakistan, however he rejected Pakistan's claims of shooting down Rafale citing them 'absolutely incorrect'