The United States, together with its Five Eyes allies, has warned that China is trying to recruit former and current military members from Western countries to strengthen the People’s Liberation Army.
In a press release, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s National Counterintelligence and Security Center revealed that China’s PLA is using private firms and offering exorbitant salaries to entice Western military personnel.
The goal is to help PLA Air Force and Navy aviators overcome their capability gaps and gain insight into Western tactics, techniques and procedures.
A joint bulletin the Five Eyes members issued said the PLA’s recruitment efforts specifically target former fighter pilots from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“Today’s joint bulletin by FVEY partners seeks to highlight this persistent threat and deter any current or former Western service members from actions that put their military colleagues at risk and erode our national security,” NCSC Director Michael Casey said.
This is not the first time Five Eyes has advised about Beijing’s headhunting activities. In 2023, U.S. Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, penned a letter to warn against foreign companies that recruit NATO military talent to train the PLA. In 2022, a report found that 30 former Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army pilots had been training members of the Chinese air force.