The Chinese government is attempting to recruit former and present British Air Force pilots to train its soldiers, and the British government declared on Tuesday that it is retaliating with “decisive steps.”
Although British military personnel occasionally engage in training exercises with foreign militaries, any former pilots of China—which London referred to as “the first danger” to regional and international security—raise serious questions.
“We are taking decisive steps to stop Chinese recruitment programs to search for competencies among current and former UK armed forces to train the Popular Liberation Army,” a British Defense Ministry spokesman told France Presse.
More than 30 former pilots accepted offers of more than 240,000 pounds ($ 273,750), according to British media, and many of them had just just departed the British Air Force.
According to reports, the practise has been ongoing since 2019 but has recently become more common.
The British Ministry of Defense stated that it was “reviewing the use of secrecy contracts and non -disclosure agreements,” adding that all current and previous elements are subject to the official secrets law that prohibits employees working in the public sector in the United Kingdom.
“The new national security law will create additional measures to cope with modern security concerns, including this challenge,” the official continued.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense did not respond to AFP request for a comment..
London is taking action to prevent China from hiring former British Air Force pilots.
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