Pakistan claimed it had downed five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales. French officials disputed the claim, accusing Pakistan and its ally China of launching a digital offensive.

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

China reportedly used its foreign missions to undermine the sales of French-made Rafale fighter jets, following their use by India in Operation Sindoor.