Former U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot Daniel Duggan is set to be extradited to the United States to face charges of providing military training to Chinese nationals. Duggan, who has been in custody in Australia since his arrest in October 2022, is accused of violating U.S. arms control laws by offering defense services to a foreign nation without the required authorization.
The indictment alleges that between 2010 and 2012, Duggan provided military training to Chinese pilots through a South African flight school, including instruction on carrier landings and tactics. These activities reportedly contravene the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which control the export of defense-related services and technology.
Duggan, who became an Australian citizen in 2012, has denied the charges, asserting that the training he provided was unclassified and commercially available. His legal team argues that the extradition request is politically motivated, pointing to heightened tensions between the U.S. and China.
The case has garnered significant attention, highlighting concerns over the transfer of military expertise to foreign powers. It underscores the complexities of regulating private military training services and the challenges in enforcing international arms control agreements.
