
China 'deployed' embassies to undermine Rafale: French intel
Findings from a French intelligence service seen by Associated Press say defence attaches in China's foreign embassies led a charge to undermine Rafale sales, seeking to persuade countries that have already ordered the French-made fighter - notably Indonesia - not to buy more and to encourage other potential buyers to choose Chinese-made planes. The findings were shared with AP by a French military official .
Four days of India-Pakistan clashes in May were the most serious confrontation in years between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, and included air combat that involved dozens of aircraft from both sides.
Military officials and researchers have since been digging for details of how Pakistan's Chinese-made military hardware - particularly warplanes and air-combat missiles - fared against weaponry that India used in airstrikes on Pakistani targets, notably French-made Rafale fighters.
Sales of Rafales and other armaments are big business for France's defence industry and help efforts by govt in Paris to strengthen ties with other nations, including in Asia where China is becoming the dominant regional power.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Mucus in Lungs? Do This if You Feel Breathlessness
Neuracare
Learn More
Undo
Pakistan claimed its air force downed 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.
India acknowledged aircraft losses but didn't say how many. French air force chief Gen Jerome Bellanger said that he's seen evidence pointing to just 3 Indian losses - a Rafale, a Russian-made Sukhoi and a Mirage 2000.
It was the first known combat loss of a Rafale. French officials have been battling to protect the plane from reputational damage, pushing back against what they allege was a concerted campaign of Rafale-bashing and disinformation online from Pakistan and its ally China. They say the campaign included viral posts on social media, manipulated imagery showing supposed Rafale debris, AI-generated content and video-game depictions to simulate supposed combat.
French military officials say they haven't been able to link the online Rafale-bashing directly to Chinese govt.
But the French intelligence service said Chinese embassy defence attaches echoed the same narrative in meetings they held with security and defence officials from other countries, arguing that IAFRafales performed poorly and promoting Chinese-made weaponry.
Asked by AP to comment on the alleged effort to dent Rafale's appeal, ministry of national defence in Beijing said: "The relevant claims are pure groundless rumours. China has consistently maintained a prudent approach to military exports, playing a constructive role in regional and global peace and stability." AP
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
7 minutes ago
- Time of India
China retaliates against EU ban with import restrictions on medical devices
Hong Kong: China's finance ministry said on Sunday it was restricting government purchases of medical devices from the European Union that exceed 45 million yuan ($6.3 million) in value, in retaliation to Brussels' own curbs last month. Tensions between Beijing and Brussels have been rising, with the European Union imposing tariffs on China-built electric vehicles and Beijing slapping duties on imported brandy from the bloc. The European Union said last month it was barring Chinese companies from participating in EU public tenders for medical devices worth 60 billion euros ($70 billion) or more per year after concluding that EU firms were not given fair access in China. The measure announced by the European Commission was the first under the EU's International Procurement Instrument, which entered into force in 2022 and is designed to ensure reciprocal market access. China's countermeasures were expected after its commerce ministry flagged "necessary steps" against the EU move late last month. "Regrettably, despite China's goodwill and sincerity, the EU has insisted on going its own way, taking restrictive measures and building new protectionist barriers," the commerce ministry said in a separate statement on Sunday. "Therefore, China has no choice but to adopt reciprocal restrictive measures." The EU delegation office in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China will also restrict imports of medical devices from other countries that contain EU-made components worth more than 50% of the contract value, the finance ministry said. The measures come into force on Sunday. The commerce ministry said products from European companies made in China were not affected. The world's second- and third-largest economies are due to hold a leaders' summit in China later in July. On Friday, China also announced duties of up to 34.9% for five years on brandy originating in the European Union, most of it cognac from France, after concluding an investigation largely believed to be a response to Europe's EV tariffs. Major cognac producers Pernod Ricard, LVMH and Remy Cointreau were spared from the levies, however, provided they sell at a minimum price, which China has not disclosed.


India Today
10 minutes ago
- India Today
China fumes as PM greets Dalai Lama on 90th birthday, warns India on Tibet stance
China on Monday objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishing the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday and to Indian ministers flocking to his residence in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, for celebrations, reiterating Beijing's stance on matters concerning Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that the country's position on Tibet is consistent and further stated that the Dalai Lama is a political exile and alleged that he has been involved in efforts to separate Xizang -- also known as Tibet outside China -- under the guise of 'India should fully appreciate the great sensitivity of Xizang-related issues and recognise the anti-separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama, and honour the commitment it made to China on issues related to Xizang,' she also alleged that India is trying to use the Dalai Lama issue to interfere in China's internal affairs and cautioned New Delhi against doing Chinese Embassy in India protested against the Dalai Lama's announcement regarding the continuation of the reincarnation system, asserting that he has no authority to decide whether the institution should continue or be Minister Modi on Sunday extended warm wishes to the Dalai Lama, and said he has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline."His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life," Modi posted on ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Sikkim minister Sonam Lama attended his birthday celebrations in last Friday objected to Minority Affairs Minister Rijiju's statement that the incarnation of the Dalai Lama should follow his own wishes, urging India to act cautiously on Tibet-related issues to avoid affecting the improvement of bilateral Wednesday, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue, and only the Gaden Phodrang Trust will have the authority to recognise his future reincarnation.- EndsInputs from PTITune InMust Watch

The Hindu
11 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Macron due in U.K. for state visit as London tries to balance ties with Europe, U.S.
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron are due to arrive in London on Tuesday (July 8, 2025) for a state visit, hosted by Britain's monarch Charles III and the Queen, Camilla. This is the first European head of state to be hosted by King Charles on a state visit and an indication that the ties between London and Paris, which were under strain due to Britain's departure from the EU, have thawed. The King and Queen were last hosted by the Macrons in Paris in September 2023. While business is transacted during state visits, the ceremonial aspects and state dinner are instruments of the host country's soft power and used to bolster culture ties between the countries. The three-day visit will culminate in a summit level meeting led by Mr. Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday (July 10, 2025). The visit comes at a time when the U.K. is trying to balance its ties with the EU and the U.S., as U.S. President Donald Trump has overseen a downgrading of ties between the U.S. and E.U. Also Read | United Kingdom's Starmer convenes 'coalition of the willing' for second meeting to discuss Ukraine Anglo-French security and defence ties, which are governed by the Lancaster House treaties of 2010, will be updated during the summit, as per a statement by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in France's National Assembly. Mr. Barrot cited London and Paris cooperating on Ukraine's defence (by leading a group of mostly European countries called the 'Coalition of the Willing'). He also mentioned the two countries coordinating responses on Iran along with Germany, which, according to him, paved the way for negotiations (i.e., the June 20 negotiations in Geneva). Mr. Barrot also highlighted cooperation on the crisis in Sudan. The visit will also see politically sensitive issues discussed — such as fishing and migration. The U.K. and the EU recently concluded an agreement allowing reciprocal access to fishing waters until 2038. Also Read | European leaders consult Trump, then agree joint response to Russian foot-dragging in truce talks On Tuesday (July 8, 2025), the French first couple will be welcomed on arrival by the Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales before being taken to Windsor Castle, just outside London, where they will be hosted by the King and Queen. The visit will include a carriage ride through the town of Windsor and a State dinner. Mr Macron is scheduled to address the U.K. Parliament on Wednesday (July 9, 2025). Mr. Trump, who has expressed a fondness for the British Royal Family, has also been invited to the U.K. on a state visit, his second such visit, since 2019, when he was hosted by Queen Elizabeth. Mr. Trump's second visit is expected in September, though no dates have been announced.