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The United States (U.S) has accused South Africa of endangering American national security after intercepting military training equipment allegedly destined for China’s armed forces, triggering a high-stakes legal and diplomatic dispute.
The U.S. Department of Justice has now launched a civil forfeiture case to seize two pieces of military training equipment it says were illegally shipped from South Africa to China without proper authorisation.
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US Claims Equipment Could Boost China’s Military Capabilities
According to court documents, the equipment — known as mission crew trainers (MCTs) — was allegedly being transported from the Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA) to China’s People’s Liberation Army.
U.S. authorities claim the trainers were intended to enhance China’s ability to track submarines and operate sophisticated surveillance aircraft, posing a direct threat to American military operations.
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Prosecutors allege the trainers were developed using U.S.-origin software and sensitive military technology, which would require export approval under U.S. law — approval they say was never granted.
Alleged ‘Project Elgar’ Linked to Anti-Submarine Warfare
The court filings further allege the equipment was designed to mirror the P-8 Poseidon, a U.S.-manufactured aircraft widely used for anti-submarine warfare missions.
According to U.S. officials, the programme — referred to internally as “Project Elgar” — was intended to train Chinese crews to detect and track U.S. submarines operating in the Pacific Ocean.
The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said the seizure was necessary to prevent advanced American military technology from falling into the hands of a foreign adversary.
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Officials warned that such transfers could place U.S. service members at risk and weaken the country’s military advantage.
TFASA Rejects Allegations as Diplomatic Tensions Rise
The seizure comes against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, including recent joint naval exercises involving China, Russia and Iran in waters near South Africa.
TFASA has firmly denied the allegations, rejecting claims that it exported U.S. military technology or NATO aviation expertise in breach of international regulations.
In a statement, the company said the seized containers held basic mobile classroom units used for mission crew training focused on crew resource management in maritime patrol aviation.
TFASA insisted the equipment did not include tactical simulators, advanced systems, or any classified or sensitive military capabilities.
The company said the trainers relied only on publicly available information and commercially licensed software, and were intended solely for instructional and procedural purposes.
TFASA further stated that the equipment and software were reviewed by relevant authorities before shipment, a process it said confirmed that no restricted or export-controlled technology was involved.
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While acknowledging the project could attract international scrutiny, the company maintained it acted lawfully, transparently and in good faith.
Meanwhile, Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said South Africa remains committed to engaging constructively with the United States.
He said diplomatic channels would be used to address concerns and ensure a shared understanding of the facts surrounding the seizure.
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