Athens: Four Chinese nationals were arrested in Tanagra, Greece, after they were found photographing Rafale fighter jets and recording visuals of Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) facilities — an area considered sensitive due to its military significance. Among the detained individuals is a woman, media reports said.

The arrests came after the Hellenic Air Force Police handed over the group to local authorities, according to a report in India Today.

Their actions had triggered a high-security alert as they were reportedly seen taking pictures of restricted military zones, raising fears of intelligence gathering.

According to the report, the four — two men, a woman, and a young man — were initially spotted by HAI’s security staff, who asked them to vacate the premises.

Despite the warning, the group relocated to a nearby bridge and continued photographing the HAI premises and the 114th Combat Wing.

The Air Force Police (Aeronomia) from the 114th Combat Wing was informed immediately.

They intervened, tracked down the group, and took them in for questioning. The individuals were later transferred to the Tanagra police station. Initial reports suggest they were found carrying a considerable volume of visual data from the area.

Authorities are currently probing whether this was a standalone act or part of a wider intelligence-gathering operation.

The matter is being treated with serious concern, and relevant security services are now reviewing the material.

India and Greece share growing military cooperation, having conducted several joint naval and air drills, including last year’s Tarang Shakti and INIOCHOS 25 earlier this year.

The Indian Air Force’s deployment of Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor has put the aircraft in sharp international focus.

China has reportedly attempted to undermine the Rafale’s performance, according to France.

The Chinese individuals arrested in Greece were reportedly gathering data specifically related to the Rafale.

A report by the Associated Press alleges that Chinese embassies orchestrated a coordinated disinformation campaign to tarnish the reputation of the Rafale jets after their deployment by India during Operation Sindoor in May.

Quoting French military and intelligence sources, the report claims Beijing leveraged its diplomatic missions to influence both current and prospective buyers of Rafales, urging them to consider Chinese-made alternatives instead.

French intelligence also alleged that Chinese defence attachés contacted officials in countries that had purchased or were negotiating to buy Rafales.

During these interactions, the Chinese side allegedly claimed that Rafales underperformed when used by India, while promoting Chinese defence technology as superior.

French military sources said the campaign involved a mix of viral posts on social media, AI-generated content, altered visuals showing fake Rafale wreckage, and simulated combat footage resembling video games.

Over 1,000 new social media accounts were allegedly created during the India-Pakistan hostilities, amplifying claims about Chinese technological edge.

France’s Ministry of Armed Forces called the effort “a vast campaign of disinformation” aimed at boosting the image of Chinese-designed defence systems.

"The Rafale was not randomly targeted. It is a highly capable fighter jet, exported abroad and deployed in a high-visibility theatre," the ministry said on its website.

It added that the campaign was about more than just a fighter aircraft: "By attacking the aircraft, certain actors sought to undermine the credibility of France and its defence industrial and technological base. The disinformation campaign therefore did not merely target an aircraft, but more broadly a national image of strategic autonomy, industrial reliability, and solid partnerships."

Dassault Aviation has sold 533 Rafale jets globally, with 323 delivered to nations including India, Egypt, Greece, Qatar, the UAE, Croatia, Serbia, and Indonesia. Indonesia has ordered 42 jets and may place more orders in the future.

In response to these claims, China’s Ministry of National Defence has denied any effort to discredit the Rafale fighter jet’s global standing.

Chinese state media outlet Global Times, in a post on X, said the Chinese defence ministry called the accusations "pure groundless rumours and slander," reiterating that China remains committed to "a prudent and responsible approach to military exports" and supports "regional and global peace and stability."

The ministry further stated that its defence development is focused on safeguarding China’s own security, adding that it does not aim to become an “arms dealer” or elevate itself by diminishing others.

It also criticised some Western politicians and media for viewing issues “through a lens of confrontation,” saying, “This arrogance, projecting their own mind-set onto others, ultimately reveals their own insecurity.”