China Seeks to Recruit Military Pilots from the U.S. and Allied Nations

The United States and its closest intelligence allies have issued a joint warning, revealing China’s intensified efforts to recruit former Western military pilots and service members for training its own aviators.

This revelation comes as part of a joint bulletin released on Wednesday, highlighting Beijing’s aggressive tactics in bolstering its air operations. For years, China has grappled with challenges in its air operations, including pilot proficiency and technical capabilities, particularly concerning countering Western aviation tactics.

As it continues to strengthen its air and naval forces, especially in light of potential military actions regarding Taiwan, China has sought to address its deficiencies by recruiting Western military talent.

The warning, issued by the Five Eyes nations – the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – sheds light on China’s use of private companies to attract Western pilots. These companies, operating discreetly in third countries such as South Africa and Singapore, offer attractive contracts and specialized aircraft training to entice former military personnel.

Michael Casey, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center within the US intelligence community, emphasized China’s aggressive recruitment tactics. He noted that recent measures by Western governments have impacted these operations, but China’s recruitment efforts continue to evolve in response.

The bulletin, released by the Office of the Director for National Intelligence, outlines how Beijing employs private companies with obscured ties to the Chinese military to reach out to Western pilots. These recruitment efforts often involve headhunters or professional networking sites, offering lucrative contracts and opportunities to fly exotic aircraft.

The most sought-after targets include military pilots, flight engineers, air operations center personnel, and technical experts with knowledge of Western military tactics. Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh expressed concern over the potential national security risks associated with such recruitment efforts. She emphasized the importance of upholding training standards and keeping training specific to the United States.