Archive · 31 Jul 2026
French ex-pilot investigated for spying after Rafale criticism
Pierre-Henri Chuet was a pilot in the French Navy who flew fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
In May 2025 he said the Indian Air Force’s Rafale jets were not good and praised Chinese fighters.
French police think he gave secret information to China.
He was taken to court in Paris and is being investigated.
He says he only gave a few seminars and that his trips to China were not successful.
Former French Navy pilot Pierre-Henri Chuet detained in France on espionage charges.
He allegedly passed classified military information to Chinese operatives.
Chuet previously questioned Indian Air Force Rafale performance during Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
He has dual French-Canadian nationality and served on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
Chuet denies allegations, claiming only organized seminars and that trips to China were problematic.
- Who
- Pierre-Henri Chuet, former French Navy pilot
- What
- Investigated for allegedly passing classified military information to China
- When
- May 2025 controversy; investigation began early 2025
- Where
- France (Paris, Charles de Gaulle) and China
- Why
- Alleged to have provided sensitive military data to a foreign power
- Name
- Pierre-Henri Chuet
- Nationality
- French-Canadian
- Alleged crime
- Espionage – passing classified military information to China
- Alleged activity
- Organized training sessions for Chinese pilots and provided intelligence
- Current status
- Under formal investigation in France