The United States and its intelligence agencies warned Wednesday that China is seeking to recruit current and former military pilots and other military personnel from Western countries to bolster China’s air power and gain insight into Western aviation tactics.
The warning came in a joint bulletin by the so-called Five Eyes intelligence partners — the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — which described China’s efforts as a “relentless” threat and share classified intelligence.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is “using private companies in South Africa and China to employ former fighter pilots from Canada, France, Germany, the UK, Australia, the US and other Western countries to train aviators for the PLA Air Force and Navy,” the bulletin said.
“The PLA hopes to leverage the skills and expertise of these individuals to enhance the capabilities of its military aviation operations while simultaneously gaining insight into Western aviation tactics, techniques, and procedures. The insights the PLA gains from Western military talent threaten the security of the targeted recruits, their peers, and the U.S. and allied nations.”
“As this threat continues to evolve in response to Western governments warning their military personnel and citizens, this notice is intended to continue to highlight this persistent and adaptive threat,” the statement said.
The bulletin said the United States and Western countries have taken steps to counter the threat, including imposing commercial restrictions on a South African test flying school and Chinese organisations involved in espionage, and banning former military personnel from working with China.
The bulletin advised current and former military personnel in Western countries to be wary of possible approaches, including job offers, from private companies that conceal their ties to China.
NATO member states held a meeting of senior officials and officials in January to consider ways to counter Chinese espionage.
The warning from intelligence partners comes amid growing concern over China’s military buildup and recent drills around Taiwan that Beijing has described as “punitive” following elections on the self-ruled island. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has vowed to seize it, by force if necessary.
Wednesday’s bulletin also comes in the wake of a series of cases in which U.S. military personnel have been indicted for attempting to sell classified information to China.
In 2022, former Marine Corps fighter pilot Daniel Duggan was arrested in Australia on suspicion of training People’s Liberation Army pilots how to land on aircraft carriers. Duggan, who denies the charges, is awaiting extradition to the United States.
In March, U.S. Army intelligence analyst Corbin Schultz was arrested and charged with conspiring to sell classified defense information to China. He has pleaded not guilty. And last August, two Navy sailors were arrested on charges of relaying classified military information to China. Zhao Wenheng pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 27 months in prison. Wei Jinchao has pleaded not guilty.
“These arrests serve as a reminder of the People’s Republic of China’s persistent and aggressive efforts to undermine our democracy and intimidate those who defend it,” Suzanne Turner, assistant director of the FBI’s counterintelligence division, said at the time.
