Beijing: China is actively recruiting both active and retired Western military pilots and service members to strengthen its air force and gain insights into Western aviation strategies. This move has prompted a unified warning from the intelligence allies known as the 'Five Eyes'—the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—highlighting the recruitment activities as a "constant threat."

On June 5, the United States and its intelligence partners publicly issued a bulletin revealing that China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is hiring ex-fighter pilots from Western nations such as Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. These recruits are being approached through private firms based in South Africa and China, with the objective of training new pilots for the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) and the PLA Navy (PLAN).

A senior official from the National Counterintelligence and Security Centre, part of the US intelligence agency, noted, "China's People's Liberation Army is on a recruitment spree for Western military expertise to fill their gaps and enhance the training of their pilots." Despite recent actions by Western governments to counter these operations, the PLA continues to adapt its recruitment strategies.

The Pentagon emphasized that they expect their pilots to adhere to U.S.-specific training standards and maintain the integrity of their training. Concerns are rising that China is luring former Western pilots with substantial salaries to gain knowledge of Western combat tactics, which could be advantageous in potential combat scenarios. A U.S. official suggested that Chinese pilots could learn air warfare tactics and aircraft carrier landings from these Western-trained pilots, offering China a unique perspective on countering Western military strategies.

The bulletin highlighted the PLA's intent to use the expertise of these individuals to improve its military air operations and understand Western air tactics, techniques, and procedures. This acquisition of Western military talent poses a threat to the safety of the targeted recruits, their colleagues, and the security of the U.S. and its allies. The evolving threat necessitates continuous vigilance and adaptive countermeasures.

Beijing has been utilizing private companies, often obscuring their ties to the Chinese military, to attract Western pilots. These companies use head-hunters or professional networking sites to offer lucrative contracts and the opportunity to fly unique aircraft. Targets include military pilots, flight engineers, and air operations centre staff members.

Private firms operating in countries like Laos, Singapore, and South Africa are hiring ex-Western pilots to train Chinese military personnel. This aligns with the Five Eyes' alert about China's expanding military activities around Taiwan. Beijing's claims over Taiwan and threats of forceful annexation exacerbate these concerns.

China's rapid expansion of its Air Force and Navy is evident from its increased influence in the Taiwan Strait and the disputed South China Sea. Despite augmenting its fighter jet fleet and launching a third aircraft carrier, the PLA's need for skilled pilots with Western expertise remains pressing.

Reports indicate that since 2022, retired fighter pilots from America, Britain, and Germany have been collaborating with the Chinese Air Force and Navy, sharing their expertise to enhance Chinese training programs. Notably, former US Marine pilot Daniel Duggan was arrested in Australia in 2022 for teaching Chinese military pilots aircraft carrier landings, a violation of US arms control laws.

In response to Beijing's recruitment campaign, Western countries are implementing countermeasures. In June 2023, the US government expanded its trade restriction list to include businesses linked to the Chinese government, such as the Test Flying Academy of South Africa and the Frontier Services Group.

The UK announced in September 2023 that former military personnel training Chinese pilots could face legal consequences for sharing military strategies with a rival nation. Earlier this year, US and NATO officials held a meeting titled "Securing Our Military Expertise from Adversaries," focusing on countering China's efforts to employ US and NATO-trained military personnel. This marked NATO's first event specifically aimed at addressing the threat from the People's Republic of China.

As China strives to compete with Western military powers, its recruitment of Western military expertise has raised significant security concerns. The ongoing efforts to counter these strategies reflect the growing need for international cooperation to safeguard military secrets and maintain global security.