Overview
- The US‑China Economic and Security Review Commission’s annual report details fake social accounts using AI‑ and video‑game‑generated “debris” images after India’s May Operation Sindoor.
- Chinese embassies touted system “successes” and reportedly persuaded Indonesia to pause a Rafale purchase as Beijing offered J‑35 fighters, KJ‑500 aircraft and missile defense systems to Pakistan.
- The panel says Pakistan’s use of Chinese HQ‑9 air defenses, PL‑15 missiles and J‑10C fighters marked their first real‑world combat outing, followed by an aggressive marketing push.
- Loss claims remain contested, with Pakistan asserting six Indian jets were downed while the report notes only three were reportedly lost and not all may have been Rafales.
- The findings echo earlier French warnings about a coordinated campaign against Rafale and have intensified debate in India over domestic amplification of loss narratives.