French ex-pilot, who claimed IAF lost Rafales, held for spying for China

A former French Navy pilot, Pierre-Henri Chuet, has been placed under formal investigation in France for allegedly sharing sensitive military information with Chinese officials. The case emerged following accusations that Chuet, a dual French-Canadian national, conducted unauthorized trips to China in 2018 and 2019 while still serving in the French Navy. These trips, organized through a South African aviation company, reportedly involved training sessions for Chinese military personnel, raising concerns about potential breaches of national security. Chuet, who previously served aboard France’s sole active aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, flew both Super Etendard strike fighters and Rafale M multirole jets. In May 2025, he gained attention for publicly criticizing the performance of India’s Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. He described the aircraft as inferior to Chinese models such as the J-10C and JF-17, calling them “Rafale killers.” This critique drew scrutiny, especially given that the Rafale is among the most advanced fighter jets operated by the Indian Air Force, manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation. The initial allegations against Chuet surfaced in 2023 and resurfaced in 2025, prompting investigations by French media outlets such as Le Canard Enchaine and Mediapart. According to these reports, Chuet undertook at least two unapproved visits to China during his tenure in the French Navy. These trips, reportedly funded by the South African-based Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA), included organizing training programs for Chinese military pilots. The first session in 2018 focused on carrier landing technologies, while the second in 2019 expanded to cover broader aspects of aircraft carrier operations, including training for naval aviators and landing signal officers, as well as insights into Western military activities in Syria. In April 2025, prosecutors in Paris received a referral from France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces regarding a former serviceman suspected of leaking intelligence to a foreign power and violating military protocols. The individual was later identified as Chuet, leading to a preliminary investigation. On July 20, 2026, Chuet was detained and questioned by France’s domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI. His residence was searched during this period, and he was subsequently presented to an investigating magistrate. Chuet has denied the allegations, stating to Le Canard Enchaine that he merely organized a few seminars and that the trips did not proceed smoothly. He claims the activities were limited in scope and did not involve the transfer of classified information. Despite his denials, prosecutors have charged him with several offenses, including the disclosure of national defense secrets and sharing intelligence with a foreign power. He is currently under judicial supervision as the investigation continues. The case highlights ongoing tensions between France and China, particularly in the realm of military technology and intelligence exchange. It also underscores the complexities of international military cooperation and the risks associated with unauthorized cross-border interactions involving sensitive data. As the investigation unfolds, further details about the nature and extent of the alleged disclosures will likely emerge, potentially influencing diplomatic and legal discussions between the two nations.