RCMP Probes Ex-Canadian Military Pilots Over Alleged Training of Chinese Military Pilots

An RCAF CF-18 takes off from CFB Bagotville, Quebec, on June 7, 2018. Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press

The RCMP says it’s investigating former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) fighter pilots involved in training Chinese military pilots.

“The RCMP is aware of the report of former RCAF pilots taking part in training People’s Liberation Army Air Force pilots,” Sgt. Kim Chamberland told The Epoch Times in an email on Sept. 5. “As the RCMP is investigating these incidents, there will be no further comment on this matter at this time.”

A report by The Globe and Mail published on Sept. 5 said the national police force is investigating three former Canadian fighter pilots who have allegedly been involved in training People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force pilots.

The RCMP has been conducting investigations into these allegations for the past few months and issued a similar statement in November 2022. This followed an announcement by the Department of National Defence (DND) on Oct. 27, 2022, saying that it had initiated an investigation. DND told The Epoch Times on Nov. 7, 2022, that the RCMP will be leading the investigation.

In a separate statement to The Epoch Times issued on Oct. 27, DND said that the Security of Information Act applies to both current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces, emphasizing that non-compliance with the act could lead to significant consequences.

Under the act, an individual convicted of indictable offences could be imprisoned for up to 14 years; those convicted on summary conviction could be sentenced to up to one year in prison or a fine of up to $2,000, or both.

DND reiterated this in an email to The Epoch Times on Sept. 5.

“The Security of Information Act applies to both current and former members, and non-compliance with the Act could result in serious consequences. Any behaviour that could potentially harm Canadian national interests is a violation of this trust and will be dealt with appropriately,” it said.

The department did not provide a direct response when asked about the national security implications of former CAF members training PLA pilots. It instead highlighted the commitment of its members to preserving national security.

“As an institution that upholds democratic principles and the rule of law, we trust and expect current and former CAF members to adhere to the values of the institution,” the department said.

South African Company

The three former RCAF members allegedly training PLA fighter pilots are reported to be offering their services through the Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA), according to the Globe and Mail.

On June 12, the U.S. Department of Commerce added dozens of companies, including TFASA, to its Entity List, citing national security concerns. Specifically, TFASA received sanctions for providing training to Chinese military pilots using resources from Western and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries, the department said.

TFASA later issued a statement expressing disappointment with the U.S. sanctions, but said that it has no impact on its operations as it does not rely on exports to the United States.

The company emphasized that it has been operating with “the full knowledge of NATO defence and security agencies for over a decade.” Additionally, TFASA noted that its communications with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigation, and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, indicate that it has “broken no laws.”

The company pointed to a similar engagement with the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), stating that the MoD has confirmed that they do not believe TFASA is involved in activities that violate current UK law.

The Epoch Times reached out to the TFASA for comment regarding the allegations concerning the former Canadian fighter pilots’ involvement in training PLA pilots, but didn’t receive an immediate response.