On June 5th, the intelligence communities of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom jointly published a bulletin warning that China is actively working to recruit current and former military officials from Western countries in an effort to strengthen its own military capabilities. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been using private companies based in South Africa and China as avenues for recruiting these individuals, particularly those with experience as fighter pilots.
According to the joint bulletin, the PLA seeks to harness the skills and expertise of these former Western military officials to enhance its own military air operations and gain insights into Western tactics, techniques, and procedures. This intelligence poses a threat not only to the targeted recruits but also to their fellow service members and the security of the United States and its allies.
The five countries mentioned – the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom – together make up the Five Eyes alliance or FVEY, which pools some of its intelligence resources for mutual benefit. This latest joint bulletin is part of an ongoing effort by these countries to warn their military personnel about the evolving threat of Chinese recruitment efforts.
The new FVEY bulletin emphasizes that these recruiting attempts are not always obvious and can come from various sources, including personal acquaintances within the military, headhunting emails, professional networking sites, and online job platforms. It also notes that a former U.S. Marine pilot on contract with TFASA was arrested in Australia in 2022 due to charges stemming from his alleged violation of the U.S. Arms Export Control Act.
The bulletin advises former military officials to exercise caution when sharing information about their security clearances and other aspects of their military expertise online, remain informed about ongoing military, intelligence, and law enforcement assessments of foreign recruitment efforts, and conduct thorough research before responding to communication from unknown parties. The bulletin also provides contact information for current and former service members who believe they or someone they know may be targeted by suspicious recruitment attempts.
In conclusion, the joint bulletin issued by the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom serves as a warning to their military personnel about China’s ongoing efforts to recruit current and former Western military officials. The bulletin emphasizes that these recruiting attempts are not always obvious and encourages vigilance on the part of current and former service members to protect themselves and their fellow military personnel from potential threats posed by such recruitment efforts.