A former French Navy Rafale pilot, Pierre-Henri Chuet, has been placed under formal investigation in Paris for allegedly collecting and providing classified information to China. He faces charges including disclosure of national defense secrets and intelligence with a foreign power.

Chuet, who flew Super Étendard and Rafale M fighters, was questioned by France's domestic intelligence service and had his home searched. The investigation stems from suspected intelligence activity with a foreign power, with reports indicating he traveled to China in 2018 and 2019 without authorization.

The case highlights concerns about former military aviators being recruited by intermediaries, such as the South African aviation company TFASA, to train Chinese military personnel. This pattern has also been observed in cases involving former British, Spanish, and US military pilots, with allegations of providing sensitive aviation expertise and technology to China.

Chuet, a dual French-Canadian citizen, was medically discharged from the Navy after approximately 200 carrier landings. He subsequently worked as a YouTuber, author, speaker, and airline pilot. China's growing naval aviation capabilities, with multiple aircraft carriers, make French carrier aviation expertise highly sought-after.