French military and intelligence officials said China used its embassies to spread doubt about the capabilities of French-made Rafale fighter jets after they were used in India and Pakistan’s May fighting.
The officials implicated China in an effort to harm the reputation and sales of France’s flagship fighter. China sought to persuade countries that have already ordered the French-made jet, most notably Indonesia, not to buy more and to encourage other possible buyers to choose planes made by China, according to the Associated Press.
Military officials have been looking into how Pakistan’s Chinese-made military hardware performed against weapons that India used, including the French-made Rafales. Pakistan has claimed its air force brought down five Indian planes during the fighting, including three Rafales. India has acknowledged a loss in aircraft but has not specified a number.
The French plane was widely considered one of the best in the world, with a stalwart reputation before the India-Pakistan conflict, and French officials are looking to mitigate reputational damage. They have not been able to directly link the Chinese government with online Rafale-bashing that has gone on after the India-Pakistan fighting but have said Chinese Embassy officials have echoed that sentiment.
France’s defense ministry said the Rafale was targeted by “a vast campaign of disinformation” that “sought to promote the superiority of alternative equipment, notably of Chinese design.”
China has said it has no involvement.
“The relevant claims are pure groundless rumors and slander. China has consistently maintained a prudent and responsible approach to military exports, playing a constructive role in regional and global peace and stability,” the Ministry of National Defense in Beijing said.