The UKis on high alert as Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots have been headhunted by China for training their cadets, in a programme first spotted in 2019, allegedly for preparing for war against the west, Newsweek reports.
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30 pilots have been engaged to date
According to an intelligence alert from the UK’s defense ministry, up to 30 former British RAF pilots and other branches have been approached with hefty payments to teach cadets in China.
As a result, the UK Government has cautioned pilots about said services which are against national interests, Sky News reports.
James Heappey, the UK Armed Forces Minister said the government has reached out to British pilots who have engaged in the respective service to China.
‘We've approached the people involved and have been clear of them that it's our expectation they would not continue to be part of that organization’
The provision of services is expected to be outlawed in the future
Heappey also told Sky News that the fact that China is recruiting British pilots has been a concern for the government for a number of years.
At present pilots have merely been advisedto not engage in said services, however, he expects that there is going to be a change in the lawso that pilots will not beable to ignore such warnings in the future.
'Don't go and train foreign air forces without checking with the MOD whether they are a foreign air force we want to see you train - would be a good rule.'
Sources used:
-Newsweek: ‘U.K. on Alert as China Taps British Pilots to Help Train for War With West’
-Sky News: ‘China's armed forces recruiting dozens of British ex military pilots in 'threat to UK interests'
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