The intelligence agencies of the United States and its “Five Eyes” allies issued a warning on Wednesday about China’s efforts to recruit former Western military pilots and other personnel to train the Chinese military. The Five Eyes alliance, which includes the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, expressed concerns that such recruitment could undermine Western deterrence capabilities and increase the risk of future conflicts.
The bulletin highlighted that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China has been using private companies in South Africa and China to hire former fighter pilots, flight engineers, and air operations center personnel from Western countries. These recruits are being used to train the PLA’s Air Force and Navy aviators. According to Michael Casey, director of the US National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the PLA’s recruitment tactics are evolving in response to countermeasures by Western governments.
Western-trained pilots provide the Chinese military with valuable insights into Western air combat tactics and operations, potentially enabling the PLA to counter these tactics more effectively. The bulletin warns that by assisting the PLA, these recruits not only jeopardize their own countries’ security but may also face legal consequences.
One notable case involves former US Marine pilot Daniel Duggan, who is currently fighting extradition from Australia on charges of training Chinese military pilots through a South African flight school. Duggan denies the allegations, which include money laundering and breaking arms control laws. The recruitment efforts often involve lucrative offers and promises of flying advanced aircraft, attracting personnel through headhunting emails or personal contacts from their military careers.
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The Five Eyes agencies’ warning comes amid broader concerns over Chinese espionage, cyber hacking, and intellectual property theft. China’s recruitment efforts are seen as part of a larger strategy to enhance its military capabilities, particularly in anticipation of potential conflicts, such as a possible military takeover of Taiwan.
The use of private companies to recruit Western military expertise has been a persistent and adaptive threat, according to the bulletin. These companies, operating in various countries including South Africa, Singapore, and Laos, have managed to circumvent sanctions and continue their operations under different names and structures.
The US and its allies have taken steps to counter these recruitment efforts, including sanctioning companies involved in the practice. The US Commerce Department has blacklisted over a dozen companies for their roles in recruiting Western military talent for PLA training.
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