Former U.S. Marine Pilot Daniel Duggan to Be Extradited Over Alleged Training of Chinese Military Pilots

Daniel Duggan, a former U.S. Marine Corps pilot and naturalized Australian citizen, is set to be extradited from Australia to the United States. The U.S. government alleges that Duggan illegally provided military training to Chinese pilots over a decade ago.

Background and Allegations

According to The Associated Press, Duggan, 55, served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 12 years, reaching the rank of Major and working as a tactical flight instructor. After leaving the Marines in 2002, he moved to Australia, gaining citizenship in 2012 and renouncing his U.S. citizenship. He later operated an adventure flight company called Top Gun Tasmania.

The U.S. government alleges that between 2010 and 2012, Duggan provided training to Chinese military pilots without the required authorization, in violation of U.S. arms export control laws. Specifically, he is accused of instructing pilots on how to land on aircraft carriers, a critical skill for naval aviation operations.

Prosecutors claim he received payments totaling approximately $61,000 for these services.

Legal Proceedings and Extradition Decision

Duggan was arrested in Australia in October 2022 at the request of the U.S. government. Since then, he has been held in a maximum-security prison, spending a significant portion of his detention in solitary confinement. In May 2024, a Sydney judge ruled that Duggan was eligible for extradition to the United States. The final decision rested with Australia‘s Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, who approved the extradition on December 19, 2024.

Dreyfus stated, “I confirm that on 19 December 2024, I determined under section 22 of the Extradition Act 1988 (Cth) that Daniel Duggan should be extradited to the United States to face prosecution for the offenses of which he is accused of under US law.” He added that Duggan was given the opportunity to make representations and provide material to me, and I carefully considered all relevant material provided in making my decision.”  

Family’s Response and Concerns

Not surprisingly, Duggan’s family has expressed profound disappointment and distress over the extradition decision, particularly given its timing just before Christmas. His wife, Saffrine, described the decision as “callous and inhumane,” stating, “We feel abandoned by the Australian government and deeply disappointed that they have completely failed in their duty to protect an Australian family.” She also highlighted the emotional toll on their six children, who are struggling to understand why their father is being taken away during the holiday season.

The family and legal team are currently exploring all available legal options to challenge the extradition. Duggan’s lawyer, Bernard Collaery, criticized the timing of the decision and emphasized the need for humane treatment, especially during the holiday period. He stated, “I expect the Albanese Government to deal with this renewed request humanely and allow us to secure instructions, convoke our legal colleagues, and, if necessary, initiate court action.”  

Broader Implications and International Concerns

Duggan’s case has garnered significant attention amid growing concerns about China’s efforts to recruit Western military expertise to enhance its own capabilities. The U.S. and its allies have expressed alarm over reports of former military personnel being approached to provide training to the Chinese military. In June 2024, the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance, comprising the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, issued a public warning about China’s recruitment of Western military trainers. The bulletin emphasized that such activities could undermine deterrence capabilities and escalate future conflicts.

The U.S. government has been particularly vigilant in enforcing laws related to the export of defense services and technology. Individuals found guilty of violating these laws by providing unauthorized military training to foreign entities can face severe penalties, including substantial fines and lengthy prison sentences. Duggan’s extradition and potential trial in the United States underscore the seriousness with which such allegations are treated.

Other Cases

Several cases of former US military personnel being involved in or accused of training Chinese military forces have come to light in recent years.

These cases underscore the increasing threat posed by China’s espionage efforts targeting U.S. military personnel. Korbein Schultz, a U.S. Army intelligence analyst, was arrested in March 2024 for allegedly conspiring to sell sensitive defense information to China. Schultz has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In another alarming incident, two U.S. Navy sailors, Wenheng Zhao and Jinchao Wei, were arrested in August 2021 for transmitting sensitive military information. Zhao pleaded guilty and received a 27-month prison sentence, while Wei has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty.

These incidents remind us of China’s aggressive tactics to exploit U.S. service members’ expertise to gain a strategic edge. The FBI’s Counterintelligence Division has highlighted these cases as part of a broader campaign aimed at weakening U.S. security and democracy.

The trend extends beyond isolated cases. China persistently targets U.S. military personnel, often using deceptive job offers or business deals to lure current and former service members. This strategy is designed to fill gaps in China’s military capabilities and provide insights into Western military operations, tactics, and technologies. The U.S. Air Force and other branches have issued warnings about these recruitment attempts, emphasizing vigilance against such exploitation efforts.

These incidents highlight the importance of robust counterintelligence measures and awareness within the military to safeguard national security.

Summary

Daniel Duggan’s extradition to the United States highlights the legal and ethical issues that come with sharing military expertise across borders. The outcome could have major consequences for other former military members in similar situations and shows the growing tensions around military training and intelligence sharing.