A recent report by a US congressional panel has shed light on China’s strategic use of the India-Pakistan conflict in May as a unique opportunity to advance its defense marketing and weaponry claims. According to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), Beijing closely observed the hostilities and treated the battlefield as a live testing ground for its modern military technologies. This approach marked a significant shift in China’s defense strategy, as it deployed cutting-edge weapons and intelligence systems in real combat conditions for the first time, aiming to validate their effectiveness and bolster China’s position in the international arms market.
The report details how China leveraged the conflict, known as Operation Sindoor, to showcase the capabilities of its J-35 fighter jets alongside other advanced military assets. The USCC described China’s actions as a coordinated and deliberate effort not only to test its high-tech arsenal but also to aggressively market these weapons internationally. Among the systems deployed were the HQ-9 air defense missile system, the PL-15 long-range missiles, and the J-10C fighter jets, all integrated into a real-world field experiment. This practical demonstration offered Beijing tangible evidence of its technological advancements in a combat scenario, which it subsequently used to assert superiority over competing defense platforms from countries such as India and France.
In addition to real-time battlefield testing, China reportedly engaged in a comprehensive information campaign through its diplomatic channels and social media platforms. Chinese embassies are said to have communicated with multiple nations, emphasizing that Chinese weapons had outperformed Indian and French military hardware during the conflict. This aggressive marketing strategy aimed to undermine the credibility and sales prospects of rival defense equipment, particularly targeting the French Rafale jets, which India had deployed during the hostilities.
French intelligence agencies, according to the USCC report, uncovered evidence of a disinformation campaign orchestrated by China. This campaign involved the dissemination of false propaganda online, including artificially generated images and graphics created through video-game technology purporting to show wreckage of Indian Rafale jets. The intent behind this misinformation was to damage the reputation of the Rafale platform and sway potential buyers away from it. Notably, the report suggests that this campaign influenced Indonesia’s decision to hold back from purchasing Rafale jets from France, thereby indirectly aiding China’s efforts to promote its own fighter, the J-35, in the global arms market.
The USCC’s findings highlight a multifaceted strategy by China, combining live combat testing with international influence operations. By treating the India-Pakistan conflict as both a proving ground and a marketing opportunity, Beijing demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the interplay between real-world military engagements and geopolitical competition in defense sales. This tactic not only provided China with critical data on the performance of its weapons under combat stress but also allowed it to craft narratives that could sway the preferences of foreign governments and military buyers.
The report further underscores how the conflict served as a “strategic opportunity” for China’s defense industry. The live use of high-tech weapons systems in actual combat scenarios gave China a credible platform from which to claim battlefield effectiveness — a powerful marketing tool in the competitive global arms trade. The demonstration of capabilities such as the HQ-9 air defense system and the PL-15 long-range missile under combat conditions was unprecedented for Beijing’s modern arsenal and represented a significant milestone in its military export ambitions.
China’s use of embassies and digital platforms to spread claims of superiority over Western and Indian weapon systems also points to a broader pattern of information warfare. The deployment of AI-generated content and fabricated visuals to discredit competitors reflects an increasingly sophisticated approach to shaping perceptions and influencing international defense procurement decisions. This case involving the Rafale jets is illustrative of how military conflicts can be exploited beyond the battlefield to achieve strategic economic and geopolitical objectives.
The USCC report’s revelations come at a time when global defense markets are highly competitive, and the reputations of military platforms can decisively impact sales and alliances. By leveraging the India-Pakistan conflict both as a testbed and a marketing campaign, China sought to elevate its position as a major arms supplier, challenging established Western manufacturers. The impact of these efforts, as evidenced by Indonesia’s hesitation to buy Rafale jets, indicates that Beijing’s strategy may have tangible effects on future defense deals and regional power dynamics.
In conclusion, the US congressional panel’s report paints a picture of China’s calculated and aggressive use of a regional conflict to propel its defense ambitions. By deploying advanced weapons in combat for real-time evaluation and coupling these demonstrations