China wants to recruit military pilots from the US and its allies to strengthen Chinese air power, bulletin warns

The U.S. and its intelligence partners warned Wednesday that China is working to recruit current and former Western military pilots and other military personnel to help bolster Chinese air power and gain insight into Western aviation tactics.

Describing China’s efforts as a “persistent” threat, the warning came in a joint bulletin of the so-called Five Eyes intelligence partners, five nations that share sensitive information: the USA, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) “is using private companies in South Africa and China to hire former fighter pilots from Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and other Western nations to train the PLA Air Force and Navy.” aviators,” the bulletin said.

“The PLA intends for the skills and knowledge of these individuals to make its own military air operations more capable, while also acquiring knowledge of Western air tactics, techniques and procedures. The PLA’s perception of Western military talent threatens the safety of targeted recruits, their fellow military personnel, and the security of the United States and allies.

“This threat continues to evolve in response to warnings from Western governments to their military personnel and the public, so this warning seeks to continue to highlight this persistent and adaptive threat,” he said.

The bulletin states that the US and its Western partners have taken steps to try to combat the threat, including imposing trade restrictions on a flight test academy in South Africa and on Chinese organizations linked to espionage operations, and banning former military personnel working with China.

The bulletin advised current and former Western military personnel to be alert to possible approaches, including job offers from private companies that hide their links to China.

NATO members held a conference of senior officers and staff in January to examine how to counter China’s espionage efforts.

The warning from intelligence partners comes amid growing concern over China’s military buildup and recent drills around Taiwan, which Beijing described as “punishment” after the self-ruled island held elections. China claims that Taiwan is part of its territory and has promised to take control of the island, by force if necessary.

Wednesday’s bulletin also follows a series of cases in which US military service members have been accused of trying to sell classified information to China.

In 2022, former Marine Corps fighter pilot Daniel Duggan was arrested in Australia for allegedly training PLA pilots how to land on aircraft carriers. Duggan, who denies the allegations, is awaiting extradition to the US

In March, US Army intelligence analyst Korbein Schultz was arrested and charged with conspiring to sell sensitive defense information to China. He pleaded not guilty. And in August last year, two Navy sailors were arrested for allegedly transmitting classified military information to China. Wenheng Zhao pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 27 months. Jinchao Wei pleaded not guilty.

“These arrests are a reminder of the People’s Republic of China’s tireless and aggressive efforts to undermine our democracy and threaten those who defend it,” FBI Counterintelligence Division Assistant Director Suzanne Turner said at the time.