A French former naval fighter pilot is under investigation over allegations he shared sensitive military information with Chinese authorities during two training trips to China.
French prosecutors confirmed they are conducting a preliminary inquiry after receiving a report from the Ministry of the Armed Forces on 19 February.
The report was filed under Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which requires public officials to alert prosecutors to possible criminal offences.
The pilot, identified by Le Parisien and Mediapart as Pierre-Henri Chuet, reportedly travelled to China in September 2018 and August 2019 to run training sessions for Chinese military pilots.
At the time, he was still serving in the French Navy.
A source close to the case told French media that Chuet did not inform his superiors about the trips, which is required under French defence regulations.
The seminars were reportedly organised by a South African aviation school, which paid Chuet through his UK-based company, Mach 3 Management. He was accompanied by a British pilot during the sessions.
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Probe launched
When contacted by AFP, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed it had received a report concerning “one of their former personnel” suspected of intelligence with a foreign power, disclosure of national defence secrets, violation of instructions, dual employment and laundering of tax fraud.
A preliminary investigation is underway.
Chuet has denied any wrongdoing. “I simply hosted two three-day seminars,” he told Le Canard Enchaîné, which first reported the story. “My 2019 trip did not go very well, and I have never set foot in China since.”
The newspaper did not name him, but Mediapart and Le Parisien later identified him as Chuet, a 36-year-old dual French-Canadian national.
Chuet served in the French naval air arm until 2021. According to Mediapart, he was stationed on the aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle and took part in missions in Iraq following the November 2015 Paris and Stade de France attacks.
Since leaving the military, he has worked as a business consultant, runs an aviation-themed YouTube channel, and appears regularly on French television as a defence commentator.
Investigators are reviewing the content of the sessions to determine whether any confidential information was shared. One source cited by Mediapart said the seminars may have included references to recent Western military operations in the Middle East.
French daily Le Figaro reported that a source close to the case said the nature of the training “justifies” an investigation, especially as China has expanded its aircraft carrier programme in recent years.
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Stricter rules adopted
In 2023, France passed a new Military Programming Law introducing tighter controls on former military and civilian personnel seeking work with foreign states or companies. The law applies for up to 10 years after their official duties end.
Under these rules, individuals must declare their intentions to the Minister of the Armed Forces, who can block an appointment if it poses a risk of “disclosure of know-how necessary to the preparation and conduct of military operations” or if such disclosure “could harm the fundamental interests of the nation”.
This legislation does not apply retroactively and therefore does not cover Chuet’s case. However, the investigation will assess whether his actions violated any laws in place at the time.
The inquiry is ongoing. No charges have been filed.
