New Delhi: In a strong rebuttal to claims circulating online, Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier has dismissed as entirely false the reports suggesting that Indian Rafale fighter jets were downed during a military confrontation with Pakistan. French authorities have now confirmed that a coordinated disinformation campaign was orchestrated by Pakistan and China, with the intent to tarnish the global reputation of the Rafale aircraft and disrupt India’s defense credibility.
Fake Wreckage, AI Content & Over 1,000 Fake Accounts
According to French intelligence officials, the disinformation campaign involved the use of fake crash site images, AI-generated content, and over a thousand newly created social media accounts. The intention, investigators say, was clear: to discredit the Rafale jet and promote Chinese military equipment as superior in the eyes of prospective buyers.
The misinformation included digitally manipulated images that claimed to show the wreckage of Rafale aircraft in Pakistani territory and fabricated audio-visual content purportedly from battlefield sources. These posts rapidly spread across platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and even private Telegram channels before being flagged and removed in several countries.
Strategic Target: Nations Looking to Buy Rafale
French defense officials revealed that the campaign specifically aimed to sow doubt among countries currently in the process of purchasing or considering the Rafale for their air forces. The Ministry of Armed Forces in France warned that such malicious propaganda is part of a wider strategic effort by certain nations to derail Dassault Aviation’s reputation and promote Chinese defense exports as a credible alternative.
In an official statement, the French Ministry wrote:
“These attempts are designed not only to question the Rafale’s performance but to undermine France’s international defense partnerships and its position as a trusted defense ally.”
Rafale: A Proven Force, Not Just a Jet
French defense authorities emphasized the Rafale’s impeccable record, stating that the jet is not merely a machine but a symbol of France’s strategic capability. With operational success in various high-stakes missions across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, the Rafale has been exported to multiple countries, including India, Egypt, Qatar, Greece, and the UAE.
“This aircraft represents cutting-edge military technology and years of French engineering excellence. It has performed flawlessly in the most demanding combat scenarios,” Dassault’s CEO Trappier stated.
He further added that this digital warfare highlights the evolving nature of modern-day conflict, where information wars are being waged in parallel with physical ones. Trappier condemned the use of AI-generated misinformation as a threat not just to corporations but also to sovereign decision-making in global defense procurement.
Information Warfare: A New Battleground
This controversy underscores the emerging reality of information warfare in the age of AI and social media, where misinformation campaigns can be weaponized to manipulate public opinion and geopolitical narratives. Experts argue that such attacks are not merely reputational but are part of broader geopolitical strategies to shift influence and power in the defense sector.
As global militaries move towards digitally-enhanced warfare, the credibility of defense technologies is increasingly being contested online, making cyber and media vigilance a crucial part of national security planning.
The Rafale episode serves as a timely reminder that military power is no longer measured only by hardware but also by how well a nation can defend its narrative. For India, France, and other Rafale operators, truth in the digital age is as important as air superiority. With Dassault Aviation firmly dismissing the fake news and France backing it with intelligence evidence, the Pak-China plot stands exposed—at least for now.
