Findings from a French intelligence service seen by The Associated Press say defense attaches in China’s foreign embassies led a charge to undermine Rafale sales, seeking to persuade countries that have already ordered the French-made fighter — notably Indonesia — not to buy more and to encourage other potential buyers to choose Chinese-made planes. The findings were shared with AP by a French military official on condition that the official and the intelligence service not be named.
Add: I don’t think the ploy worked, as in 2025 Indonesia ordered more Rafales and subs from France.
Yup , “something funny” is going on, as Inspector Clouseau would say.
I was just checking about the clash and found this article and quote:
" According to a source within French intelligence quoted by CNN, at least one Rafale fighter jet was reportedly shot down by the Pakistani military during the clashes on the night of May 6. We reached out to the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, which said it did not want to comment on “rumours".
TLDR: the source here is again the French Intelligence, while officials didn’t want to comment on rumours.