logo
China Launches Global Campaign To Discredit French Rafale Fighter Jets Following India-Pakistan Conflict

China Launches Global Campaign To Discredit French Rafale Fighter Jets Following India-Pakistan Conflict

Hans India2 days ago
Following India's Operation Sindoor military action against Pakistan, China orchestrated a systematic campaign through its diplomatic network to damage the reputation of France's premier Rafale fighter aircraft, according to French intelligence sources. The operation involved Chinese defense attachés stationed at embassies worldwide actively working to discredit the combat effectiveness of these advanced military jets.
French intelligence officials, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, disclosed that Beijing instructed its diplomatic missions to question the Rafale's battlefield performance and discourage potential buyers from purchasing the aircraft. This coordinated effort aimed to undermine France's lucrative defense export business and weaken Paris's strategic partnerships, particularly in Asia where China seeks regional dominance.
The disinformation campaign gained momentum after Pakistan's controversial claims regarding the four-day military engagement in May. Islamabad alleged it had successfully shot down five Indian Air Force aircraft, including three Rafale jets, during the conflict. India acknowledged suffering losses but has not disclosed specific details about the number or types of aircraft lost during Operation Sindoor.
French Air Force Chief General Jerome Bellanger presented evidence suggesting only three Indian aircraft were lost: one Rafale, one Russian-manufactured Sukhoi, and one Mirage 2000 from an earlier French generation. If confirmed, this would mark the first combat loss of a Rafale fighter jet since its operational deployment.
The Pakistani claims created significant challenges for France's defense industry, as existing and prospective Rafale customers began questioning the aircraft's combat capabilities. French intelligence identified this vulnerability and discovered that Chinese officials were actively exploiting these doubts to influence potential buyers away from the Rafale program.
The Rafale fighter jet represents a cornerstone of French military exports and serves as a diplomatic tool for strengthening international relationships. Sales of these advanced aircraft generate substantial revenue for France's defense sector while enhancing the country's geopolitical influence, making them a strategic target for Chinese interference.
Despite extensive intelligence gathering, French authorities have been unable to establish direct links between the disinformation campaign and Beijing's government. China has categorically rejected these accusations, with the Ministry of National Defense dismissing them as "groundless rumors and slander." Chinese officials maintain their commitment to responsible military export practices and claim to support regional stability.
The revelation highlights the intersection of military technology, international arms sales, and information warfare in contemporary geopolitics. As nations increasingly compete for defense market share, the use of diplomatic channels to undermine competitors' products represents a new dimension of economic and strategic rivalry.
France's allegations come amid broader concerns about Chinese influence operations and disinformation campaigns targeting Western military technologies and defense partnerships. The incident underscores the vulnerability of defense contractors to reputation-based attacks, particularly when their products face real or perceived battlefield setbacks.
The situation continues to evolve as France works to counter the alleged disinformation while maintaining its position in the competitive global fighter jet market. The outcome may influence future defense procurement decisions and shape how nations approach military technology marketing in an era of increased information warfare.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Two and three wheelers rides in fast lane for Uber
Two and three wheelers rides in fast lane for Uber

Economic Times

time30 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

Two and three wheelers rides in fast lane for Uber

Uber witnesses a shift in India. More customers now prefer two and three-wheelers. This trend highlights the demand for affordable transport. Uber's driver network expands significantly. The company focuses on intercity travel and premium services. Electrification efforts face challenges. Uber partners to overcome EV adoption hurdles. New services cater to diverse needs. The company prioritizes accessible mobility options in India. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in Auto 1. Two and three wheelers rides in fast lane for Uber Mumbai: More than 60% of Uber customers in India are currently opting for two- and three-wheelers , marking a shift in consumer mobility preferences at the ride-hailing platform from passenger which leads India's ride-hailing market, employs about 1.4 million driver partners, up from 1 million in 2024, reflecting steady demand growth."In India, more than three out of every five trips are now on two-wheelers or three-wheelers," Prabhjeet Singh, president, Uber India and South Asia told ET. He was speaking on the sidelines of the Uber Pragati event in to him, a key driver of this transition is growing demand for affordable and flexible transport, especially in congested urban and semi-urban areas. Singh said categories such as intercity, airport travel, and premium offerings are also seeing "massive growth," supported by new product innovations and affordability as it expands into multiple use cases, Uber's electrification efforts have remained modest. The company operates 25,000 electric vehicles (EVs) across two-, three-, and four-wheeler categories, comprising less than 2% of its 1.4 million active vehicles in India."EV adoption is growing, but penetration is definitely lower than I would like it to be," Singh said. He pointed to hurdles including high financing costs, unclear residual value of EVs, and inadequate charging infrastructure as key challenges slowing the transition. India's EV ecosystem, according to Singh, is still developing, and the cost burden of vehicle ownership continues to be a barrier. "Someone has to buy the asset and deploy it on the platform. That's harder for EVs," he navigate these challenges, Uber is partnering with institutional fleet operators who invest in vehicles and charging networks. Its Uber Green service , which offers EV rides, is currently operational in three Indian is Uber's third-largest market globally by volume. To drive further growth, the company has started new services such as Uber for Seniors and Uber Pet besides affordability features like Wait and Save. While EV adoption remains a long-term goal, Uber is currently focusing on expanding access through lower-cost, high-volume mobility options, said Singh.

Tibetan political leader slams Chinese ambassador's remarks on Dalai Lama's reincarnation
Tibetan political leader slams Chinese ambassador's remarks on Dalai Lama's reincarnation

Hindustan Times

time42 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Tibetan political leader slams Chinese ambassador's remarks on Dalai Lama's reincarnation

The political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Sikyong Penpa Tsering, has dismissed the recent remarks made by Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, on the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama, saying they reflect a complete ignorance of the concept of reincarnation. Sikyong Penpa Tsering (AFP) Taking to social media recently, the Chinese diplomat shared that the Dalai Lama has no authority to decide whether the reincarnation system will continue or not. This comes after the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader announced on July 2 that the 600-year-old institution of the Dalai Lama will continue and that Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation. Sikyong Penpa Tsering said, 'The social media post by the ambassador is ignorant of the very concept of reincarnation, because the whole purpose of reincarnation is for a spiritually realised person to decide where he or she should be reborn to carry on the responsibilities or activities of the previous life or lives.' Sikyong said that the post, in fact, reflects complete ignorance of the very notion of reincarnation and the reason and objective behind it. 'For a government that does not believe in any religion, being responsible for recognition and forcing Lamas inside to be part of that decision-making process is pitiful,' Tsering said. Taking to X, ambassador Xu Feihong shared that in fact, as a unique succession method of Tibetan Buddhism, the practice of Living Buddha reincarnation has continued over 700 years. 'Currently, there are over 1,000 reincarnation systems of Living Buddhas in Xizang and Tibetan-inhabited prefectures/counties of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces. The 14th Dalai Lama is part of this long-standing historical tradition and religious succession, not otherwise. The reincarnation of Dalai Lamas neither began from him nor will end due to him. He has no authority to decide whether the reincarnation system shall continue or be abolished,' he added. In his July 2 statement, the Dalai Lama said his decision was influenced by numerous requests from Tibetan spiritual leaders, members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, and the Buddhist diaspora in the Himalayas, Mongolia, the Russian Federation and Asia, including mainland China, that the institution should continue. The spiritual leader reiterated that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation and no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter. After this announcement, an irate Beijing, which describes the Dalai Lama as a 'separatist', countered that the spiritual leader's reincarnation 'must be approved by the central (Chinese) government'. The process of recognising the reincarnations of lamas in Tibetan Buddhism is solely and uniquely a Tibetan religious tradition. In contrast, China maintains that the process of selecting his successor must adhere to Chinese law, asserting its control over Tibetan Buddhism and rejecting any succession beyond its authority.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store