A French intelligence service says China has used its embassies to promote claims that Chinese-made Pakistani warplanes outperformed French Rafale jets during India-Pakistan clashes in May.

Findings from a French intelligence service seen by The Associated Press say defense 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 on condition that the official and the intelligence service not be named.

Add: I don’t think the ploy worked, as in 2025 Indonesia ordered more Rafales and subs from France.

  • Saleh@feddit.orgEnglish
    12·
    1 day ago

    The whole article is very entertaining.

    Basically at least one Rafaele in service by India got shot down by Pakistan in the recent clashes. Pakistan and China have jointly developed the J10 fighter that is in service by Pakistan and presumably shot down the Rafaele.

    Now China tries to convince potential buyers to not buy from France anymore, claiming China’s equipment to be superior and of course undermining France influence in the region.

    The interesting question for me is, whether the information about China capitalizing on this situation was given to the AP by the French intelligence, or whether it was leaked against their will. If it was leaked against their will, that raises the question about their security.

    If it was given to the AP on purpose, which i find more plausible, that is a bit pathetic as they feel that calling out China publicly for being mean to them would be the best way forward. If they want remain on top with selling their jets, the French should rush to improve their jets.

    • Riddick3001@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      5·
      1 day ago

      The whole article is very entertaining.

      Yup , “something funny” is going on, as Inspector Clouseau would say.

      I was just checking about the clash and found this article and quote:

      " According to a source within French intelligence quoted by CNN, at least one Rafale fighter jet was reportedly shot down by the Pakistani military during the clashes on the night of May 6. We reached out to the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, which said it did not want to comment on “rumours".

      TLDR: the source here is again the French Intelligence, while officials didn’t want to comment on rumours.