Former French Navy Pilot Investigated for Spying for China

French authorities have placed Pierre-Henri Chuet, a former French Navy Rafale pilot, under formal investigation for allegedly conducting intelligence activities for China. Chuet appeared before a Paris magistrate during the week of July 20 after being detained and questioned by the Directorate-General for Internal Security (DGSI), which also searched his home.

He faces four charges, including the disclosure of national defense secrets and providing information to a foreign power. The probe stems from a February 2025 referral by the Ministry of the Armed Forces regarding two undeclared trips to China in September 2018 and August 2019. These visits, reportedly funded by a South African aviation company, allegedly involved arranging training for Chinese military pilots.

Investigators are specifically concerned that Chuet shared sensitive tactical knowledge regarding catapult-assisted take-off and arrested recovery (CATOBAR) operations from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, a capability of strategic interest to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.

Chuet denies the allegations, stating he only conducted brief aviation seminars. The pilot has previously drawn scrutiny for claiming that the Indian Air Force lost Rafale aircraft to Pakistani fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, an assertion that was previously dismissed as inaccurate.