France and China are engaged in a discreet yet intensifying contest in the global defence arena, following recent accusations from French intelligence that Beijing is conducting a coordinated disinformation campaign against the Dassault Rafale fighter jet. The alleged campaign is believed to have been triggered after India used the Rafale in military exchanges with Pakistan.
According to sources within the French security establishment, the campaign aims to tarnish the Rafale's international reputation and sway potential buyers—particularly in Southeast Asia and Africa—towards purchasing Chinese aircraft instead.
Reports from French authorities suggest the campaign intensified after India deployed the Rafale during heightened tensions with Pakistan and for patrols along the disputed India-China border in Ladakh. The Indian Air Force procured 36 Rafale aircraft under a €7.8 billion deal signed in 2016, with deliveries completed between 2020 and 2022.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), France was the third-largest weapons exporter from 2018 to 2022, while China’s share of the global market has declined. French fighter jet sales have surged, with deals concluded in the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Europe. In contrast, China's exports have been limited to a smaller group of countries, mostly in Africa and South Asia.
French officials allege that China is using tactics such as diplomatic pressure, economic incentives, and targeted messaging in foreign media to discredit the Rafale. According to French defence sources, Chinese officials have approached foreign governments considering Rafale purchases, offering locally assembled Chinese aircraft at a lower cost, supported by long-term financing and industrial offsets.
In February 2022, Indonesia signed an agreement to acquire 42 Rafale jets, with an initial payment for six aircraft. The full contract is valued at over $8 billion and includes weapons systems, pilot training, and logistical support. French sources report that following the announcement, Chinese officials continued to promote the J-10C fighter, offering more flexible financing terms and promising local assembly rights to Jakarta.
In Argentina, the government has considered both the Rafale and the JF-17 Thunder (developed jointly by China and Pakistan). Due to British-origin components used in several Western aircraft, including the Saab Gripen, Argentina faces export restrictions. France reportedly offered to remove all UK-made parts from its jets to comply with local requirements. However, China has submitted its own proposal, offering a comprehensive military-industrial package, including training, logistics, and financial support. The Argentinian government has yet to make a final decision.
French officials assert that the issue has now extended beyond defence sales and into the realm of foreign interference in sovereign procurement processes. France’s Ministry for the Armed Forces has briefed EU partners and is advocating for a bloc-wide strategy to monitor and counter such activities.
Chinese officials have denied the existence of any such campaign. In a statement to foreign media, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “China conducts defence cooperation with foreign countries on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference. We offer competitive products and leave procurement decisions to the discretion of sovereign states.” The spokesperson also criticized what they described as “unfounded accusations” intended to undermine China’s growing aerospace industry.
While no formal complaints have been lodged with the UN or WTO, French representatives are reportedly exploring legal and diplomatic avenues to counter what they characterize as “hostile competitive practices.” France has also begun to strengthen its defence diplomacy by expanding its attaché network, offering more transparent procurement packages, and deepening bilateral ties in regions where its military exports face growing competition.
The dispute is expected to persist, particularly as more countries consider upgrading their air forces. With global defence spending reaching an all-time high in 2023, competition among defence suppliers continues to intensify.
Dhanishtha De is a trainee journalist at Cult Current. The views expressed in the article are
her ownand do not necessarily reflect the official stance of Cult Current