Chinese Disinformation Campaign Targeted Indian Air Force, Rafale Jets After Operation Sindoor, US Report Claims

A US government advisory panel has accused China of orchestrating a sophisticated artificial intelligence-driven disinformation campaign following India’s military strikes against terrorist targets in May, according to a report released Wednesday.

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission alleges Beijing deployed fake social media accounts and AI-generated images to undermine global confidence in French-manufactured Rafale fighter jets used by the Indian Air Force, while simultaneously promoting China’s own military aircraft technology.

The alleged misinformation effort specifically targeted the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strike against terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

“China opportunistically exploited the India-Pakistan conflict in May, when tensions escalated sharply, to highlight what it described as the sophistication of its own weaponry,” the Commission stated in its findings.

According to the report, Chinese operatives created and distributed fabricated images purporting to show debris from destroyed Indian and French aircraft, falsely suggesting they had been downed by Chinese defense systems. The Commission concluded that this campaign was designed to damage the international reputation and market prospects of the Rafale fighter jet while positioning China’s next-generation J-35 aircraft as a superior alternative.

The Rafale, manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation, represents one of India’s most significant defense acquisitions in recent years. The Indian Air Force formally inducted the first batch of Rafale jets in September 2020 as part of a €7.87 billion deal for 36 aircraft, with the final deliveries completed in 2022.

Defense analysts note that China’s alleged disinformation tactics align with Beijing’s broader strategy to establish its domestic defense industry as a viable competitor to Western manufacturers in the lucrative international arms market. The J-35, also known as the FC-31 Gyrfalcon, is China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter that the country has been promoting to international buyers as a cost-effective alternative to American and European options.

The timing of the disinformation campaign coincided with heightened regional tensions following Operation Sindoor. The Indian operation targeted nine terrorist installations across the Line of Control, marking one of the most significant cross-border actions since the 2019 Balakot airstrikes.

This incident highlights the evolving nature of information warfare, where artificial intelligence tools can be deployed rapidly to create convincing false narratives during geopolitical flashpoints. Security experts warn that such AI-enabled disinformation campaigns are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to counter in real time.

The Commission’s findings come amid growing concerns about China’s use of disinformation as a strategic tool in its international relations, particularly in regions where it seeks to expand its influence or undermine competitors.

Neither the Chinese nor Indian governments have officially responded to the allegations contained in the US Commission’s report. France’s Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of the Rafale, has also not issued a public statement regarding the alleged disinformation campaign targeting its fighter aircraft.

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission was created by Congress in 2000 to monitor and investigate national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and China, and to provide recommendations to Congress on policy action.