A former French Navy pilot, Pierre-Henri Chuet, has been placed under formal investigation in France over allegations of passing sensitive national defence secrets to Chinese operatives.
Chuet, who flew Rafale M and Super Étendard fighter jets during his military service, was taken into custody by France’s domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI. Intelligence officers searched his residence before presenting him to an investigating magistrate in Paris.
He now faces formal charges including the disclosure of national defence secrets, intelligence activities with a foreign power, and providing sensitive national data to a foreign state. He has since been released under judicial supervision.
Unauthorised Trips and Chinese Pilot Training
The judicial probe centres on undisclosed trips Chuet allegedly made to China in 2018 and 2019 while still an active-duty officer in the French Navy. Under French military regulations, serving personnel must inform their chain of command before undertaking foreign travel.
Investigators suspect these visits were funded through a South African aviation school to facilitate training seminars for Chinese military pilots. The sessions allegedly covered advanced aircraft carrier operations, landing signal technologies, and Western operational tactics.
Chuet has denied the espionage allegations, claiming he merely led brief, routine aviation seminars.
The Operation Sindoor Rafale Claims
Chuet sparked widespread controversy when he questioned the operational performance of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor.
In various public appearances and aviation commentaries, Chuet claimed that India lost Rafale aircraft to Chinese-manufactured warplanes operated by Pakistan. He heavily praised Chinese jets like the J-10C and JF-17, framing them as superior counters to Western fighter technology.
The claims raised eyebrows given Dassault Aviation’s status as a premier French defence exporter, leading military analysts to scrutinise his underlying motives.
Beijing’s Broader Disinformation Campaign
French intelligence previously highlighted a coordinated disinformation push aimed at undermining Western hardware following high-profile military engagements. Officials noted that state-backed narratives sought to erode confidence in French aerospace platforms to boost the global market share of Chinese arms manufacturers.
With Western nations increasingly warning against efforts by Beijing to recruit former NATO and Allied aircrew for military instruction, Chuet’s investigation marks a high-stakes legal case intersecting military espionage, aviation safety, and global defence commerce.
Former French Navy pilot Pierre-Henri Chuet (known online as "Até Chuet"), who created controversy by claiming the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor while praising Chinese fighters as "Rafale killers," has been placed under formal investigation in France over alleged espionage ties to China.
🔍 Key Details of the Investigation
Who is he? Pierre-Henri Chuet is a former French naval aviator (and popular aviation YouTuber) who flew Super Étendard and Rafale M fighters from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle before leaving active service.
The Detention & Charges: In late July 2026, France's domestic intelligence agency (DGSI) searched his residence and questioned him. He was presented to an investigating magistrate in Paris and placed under formal investigation (mise en examen) on four charges:
Disclosure of national defense secrets.
Maintaining intelligence links with a foreign power.
Collection of information relating to France's fundamental national interests.
Providing information to a foreign power.
Current Status: He has been released under judicial supervision while the investigating judge conducts the inquiry. Under French law, formal investigation indicates serious or corroborating evidence, but he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
🚁 What Led to the Probe?
Undeclared Trips to China: Investigations by French outlets (Le Canard Enchaîné and Mediapart) revealed that Chuet made two undeclared trips to China in September 2018 and August 2019 while still serving in the French Navy.
Military Training Seminars: The trips were allegedly facilitated by the South Africa-based Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA) to conduct training seminars for Chinese military pilots, including tactics on aircraft carrier operations (CATOBAR landings and carrier aviation).
Disinformation Concerns: French intelligence agencies suspect Beijing used external commentators and diplomatic networks to amplify doubts about the combat performance of Dassault’s Rafale in order to promote Chinese jets (such as the J-10C and JF-17) and undermine French defense exports.
🛡️ Response & Denials
Pierre-Henri Chuet: Denied any espionage charges, stating he only ran two short three-day training seminars and had not been to China since 2019.
Dassault Aviation: The manufacturer of the Rafale dismissed claims surrounding IAF Rafale losses during Operation Sindoor as inaccurate disinformation.
No comments:
Post a Comment