Ex-French Rafale pilot who claimed IAF jet loss in Operation Sindoor, held for spying for China
Former French Navy Rafale pilot Pierre-Henri Chuet is under formal investigation in France for allegedly passing sensitive military information to China. Charged with sharing defence secrets, he made 2 undeclared trips to China in 2018-19.
WORLDFormer French Navy Rafale pilot Pierre-Henri Chuet is under formal investigation in France for allegedly passing sensitive military information to China. Charged with sharing defence secrets, he made 2 undeclared trips to China in 2018-19. Add DNA as a Preferred SourceTRENDING NOWGold, silver prices today, February 8, 2026: Check city-wise rates in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and moreBomb threat to 9 Delhi schools, Bomb squad deployedSourav Ganguly slams PCB's India boycott threat, asks 'backing out of a World Cup for what?'Who is Shivam Mishra? Son of Tabacco barron, owns luxury cars worth Rs 60 crore, crashes Lamborgini in Kanpur's posh areaAfter Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, and Salman Khan, Vivek Oberoi's personality rights get protectedUttar Pradesh: Ganga Expressway set to become major economic hub, high-speed rail link, residential zones planned, here's all you need to knowDelhi Coaching Center Flood: 5 Including Owner of Basement Arrested By Police | IAS Coaching TragedyLaughter Chefs 3 fees: Here's how much Krushna Abhishek, Elvish Yadav, Bharti Singh charge per episode, Karan Kundrra, Tejasswi Prakash, Jannat Zubair earnings revealedThe 50: Lion's real identity revealed, he is. . . , fans express their shock and surpriseMassive explosion in biotechnology company at China's Shanxi Province, 8 killed after trapped in Debris; what was the cause?Triple suicide case: Grandfather of Ghaziabad sisters urge government to ban Korean gameDelhi HORROR: Two men, one woman bodies found inside parked car on Peeragarhi flyover; suicide by poisoning suspected; who were the victims?Jeffrey Epstein files: Sex offender allegedly wanted to impregnate women at his ranch, create 'super race' of humansJeffrey Epstein files: New picture show sex offender dining with Elon Musk, Mark ZuckerbergGandiva Missile: Arjuna's Bow Reborn TodayA former French Navy pilot, Pierre-Henri Chuet, has been placed under formal investigation in France over allegations of sharing sensitive military information with Chinese operatives. The case has drawn attention both for the espionage charges and for Chuet’s controversial comments on Indian Air Force Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Who is Pierre-Henri Chuet?Chuet, a dual French-Canadian national, served in the French Navy’s naval aviation until around 2021. He flew Super Etendard strike fighters and Rafale M jets from France’s aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle. After leaving service, he built a public profile as a defence commentator with a YouTube channel of over 560,000 subscribers. During Operation Sindoor, he claimed a Pakistan Air Force J-10C shot down an IAF Rafale using a PL-15 missile, and called Chinese jets like the J-10C and JF-17 "Rafale killers". Dassault Aviation and the IAF have denied that any Rafales were lost. Allegations of undeclared trips to ChinaAccording to reports in Le Canard Enchaine and Mediapart, Chuet is suspected of making two undeclared trips to China in September 2018 and August 2019 while still serving in the Navy. The trips were allegedly arranged via South Africa’s Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA). Prosecutors allege he organised training sessions for Chinese military pilots, including on carrier landings, E-2C Hawkeye operations, and Western military tactics used in Syria. French military rules require prior approval for such engagements. In April 2025, the Paris prosecutor’s office said it received a referral from the Ministry of Armed Forces regarding a former serviceman suspected of "sharing intelligence with a foreign power" and "disclosure of national defence secrets". DGSI probe and chargesOn July 27, 2026, investigative outlet Intelligence Online reported that Chuet was taken into custody and questioned by the DGSI, France’s domestic intelligence agency. His home was also searched during the week of July 20. He was presented to an investigating magistrate and placed under formal investigation for charges including sharing intelligence with a foreign power, disclosure of defence secrets, and collection of information relating to national interests. He has since been released under judicial supervision. Chuet has denied wrongdoing. He told Le Canard Enchaine he only led "two three-day seminars" and that the 2019 trip "did not go well". Not the first such caseWestern officials have warned about China targeting former military personnel. In February 2025, US authorities charged a former F-35 pilot for allegedly training Chinese pilots. In June 2024, the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand issued a joint bulletin on PLA recruitment of Western pilots. Under French law, being placed under formal investigation is not a conviction. An investigating judge will now decide if the case proceeds to trial. Find your daily dose of AllLatest NewsincludingSports News,Entertainment News,Lifestyle News, explainers & more. Stay updated, Stay informed-Follow DNA on WhatsApp.