South African Company Accused of Funneling NATO Expertise to PLA
The United States has filed a civil forfeiture complaint to seize two anti-submarine warfare mission crew trainers that were being shipped from South Africa to China’s People’s Liberation Army. The trainers, manufactured by the Test Flying Academy of South Africa, replicate the interior layout of Boeing’s P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and run US-origin software and technical data. US officials allege that the equipment was intended to support training in airborne early warning and ASW missions, and that former Western ASW specialists provided expertise that could accelerate Chinese naval aviation proficiency. The Test Flying Academy of South Africa has rejected the allegations, stating that the seized equipment consisted of non-sensitive mobile classroom units. This development was first reported by AeroTime.