Archive · 21 Nov 2025
China's Disinformation Campaign Targets Rafale After India-Pakistan Conflict
After India used French Rafale fighters against Pakistan, China tried to make people think the planes were easily beaten by using fake images and stopping other countries from buying them.
Ukraine wants to buy many Rafales though.
China ran a disinformation campaign to discredit the French Rafale fighter jet
Campaign included AI-generated images and video game images of debris
China leveraged the conflict to test and advertise its weapons
Indonesia halted Rafale purchase due to Chinese embassy efforts
Ukraine signed letter of intent to obtain up to 100 Rafale fighters
- Who
- China, India, Pakistan, Ukraine, Indonesia
- What
- Disinformation campaign, fighter jet sales
- When
- May 2022 (conflict), June 2022 (Indonesia evaluation), November 2022 (report, Ukraine letter of intent)
- Where
- India, Pakistan, China, Indonesia, Ukraine
- Why
- To discredit Rafale fighters, test and advertise Chinese weapons, halt sales
US Commission's Stance
Chinese Government's Stance
Campaign Existence
US Commission's Stance
China ran a disinformation campaign
Chinese Government's Stance
The report is false
Campaign Impact
US Commission's Stance
Campaign persuaded Indonesia to halt Rafale purchase
Chinese Government's Stance
No comment on specific actions
- Fighter Jet
- French Rafale
- Countries Involved
- India, Pakistan, China, Ukraine, Indonesia
- Conflict Duration
- Four days
- Rafale Jets Downed
- Three (reportedly)
- Ukraine's Rafale Plan
- Up to 100 fighters over 10 years
Sources
China ran campaign to discredit French Rafale fighter after India-Pakistan conflict, US commission says
Shehbaz Sharif hails US panel report for backing Pak’s claims of ‘military success over India’ in May, but China isn’t happy
