With €10.9 billion in orders by 2025 and €30 billion in negotiations in India, Dassault Aviation is resisting an unprecedented Chinese disinformation campaign.
The Indian Defence Acquisition Council opened negotiations in February 2026 for the purchase of an additional 114 Rafale aircraft, making it the largest ongoing arms contract worldwide. With €30 billion at stake, Dassault’s order book has already surpassed €46.6 billion by the end of 2025. China, whose fighter jets have not found buyers in these markets, has chosen a different path: fake documents, deepfakes, televised military exercises. An information war that its own missteps have turned against it.
Dassault: €46 billion in orders, a record
In 2025, Dassault Aviation reported €10.9 billion in orders and €7.42 billion in annual revenue, up 19%. These figures, released weeks before India’s announcement in February 2026, mark a significant milestone for Dassault. If the contract is finalized, India will become the program’s largest export customer in history. The Indian Air Force officially confirmed that the Rafale had “fully fulfilled its promises” after the conflict.
J-10CE without a buyer, J-35 without a market
Neither the J-10CE nor the J-35 has found buyers in Egypt, Indonesia, or Bangladesh despite announcements. A study published in December 2025 concludes that no state or prospect has abandoned the purchase of Rafale following Chinese campaigns. Each contract signed by Dassault in Asia, the Middle East, or Africa secures a market that Beijing cannot otherwise occupy.
Operation Sindoor and the recovered missile
After the Indo-Pakistani conflict in May 2025, the USCC document confirms the loss of at least one Rafale. The official Chinese claim of destroying three Rafale aircraft is debunked. An almost intact missile recovered by India is now being analyzed by American, French, and Indian authorities.
Xuchang: Eight J-16 against six Indian Rafale
Images from an exercise in Xuchang show eight J-16 fighters facing six Indian Rafale jets. China’s narrative of overpowering the Rafale with mass and sensor saturation aims to elevate the Rafale as a reference adversary in public maneuvers.
Two years of misinformation: UAE, Trappier, Macron
In August 2024, fake news circulated about the UAE canceling an order for 80 Rafale. Several false documents attributed to Eric Trappier surface altering topics concerning Indian pilots’ training before Rafale delivery and accusations against French military officials derailed two billion euros meant for Ukraine.
In February 2026, a deepfake video falsely attributes statements about the Rafale to Emmanuel Macron. Dassault’s CEO, Eric Trappier, has highlighted the misinformation campaigns targeted at prospective buyers.
Taiwan’s Mirage 2000-5 replacement
Taiwan is looking for a successor to its aging Mirage 2000-5 fleet, and a potential sale of Rafale to Taiwan could significantly impact US-China relations. As decisions rest with the French government, no definitive action has been taken.
Context and Fact Check:
- The content discusses significant defense deals, propaganda efforts, and geopolitical tensions involving Dassault Aviation, China, India, Russia, and various other countries.
- The article highlights instances of misinformation, disinformation, and the use of deepfakes in the defense industry.
- It sheds light on the complexities and challenges faced by defense contractors like Dassault Aviation in securing contracts and navigating international politics.
