A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who once trained American personnel to operate the advanced F-35 Lightning II has been arrested.

Gerald Brown, 65, was arrested on charges of illegally providing military training to China, the Justice Department said.

He was taken into custody in Indiana and is accused of violating U.S. arms export control laws, which require State Department authorisation before providing defence-related training to foreign armed forces.

Prosecutors alleged Mr Brown, described as an “elite” pilot with decades of experience flying U.S. military aircraft, trained pilots for the Chinese air force without approval.

The Justice Department said the alleged conduct posed “a significant threat to national security”.

Mr Brown left the U.S. military in 1996 after a career that included commanding units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems and training American fighter pilots.

As a civilian, he later worked as a cargo pilot and flight trainer for U.S. defence contractors.

China’s foreign ministry declined to comment.

Speaking at a regular briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said she was not aware of the case.

Mr Brown is expected to appear before a federal magistrate judge in Indiana on Thursday.

(Xinhua/NAN)