Status: 10/19/2022 10:49 am
According to a media report, dozens of ex-military pilots from Great Britain have trained Chinese soldiers to fight against NATO aircraft. The British Ministry of Defense responded with “immediate steps”.
The People’s Liberation Army of China is said to have paid dozens of former British armed forces pilots to practice combat against Western military planes and helicopters.
The ex-soldiers are said to be still in China and receive an annual salary of around 240,000 British pounds (equivalent to around 275,000 euros) for their services, as the broadcaster “Sky News” reported on Tuesday.
James Heappey, Britain’s Minister for Defense and Veterans Affairs, is quoted as saying China’s recruitment of British pilots has been a concern for the British Ministry of Defense for “a number of years”. The pilots currently in China have been advised not to continue their activities there. In addition, a change in the law is planned that would make it a punishable offense to ignore such government warnings.
planned tightening of the law
The British Ministry of Defense tweeted that when former British military pilots train the Chinese army, “it clearly undermines Britain’s defense advantage. We are taking immediate steps to prevent and criminalize this activity.”
The steps presented include the military intelligence service informing the ex-soldiers that have already been recruited about possible punishment for their activities, the national security law being expanded to include criminal prosecution options and previous confidentiality agreements for the British armed forces being put to the test.
Apparently South African company involved
According to the Sky News report, China handles the recruitment of British ex-military personnel through a South African company called Test Flying Academy of South Africa. The recruited forces are said to be pilots aged more than 50 who have decades of experience – the British government does not know how many exactly there are.
Apparently, training on the Merlin and Wildcat helicopter models and Harrier, Eurofighter Typhooon, Tornado and modern F-35 aircraft is in demand. According to current knowledge, however, no trainer from the West has been found for the US-made jet.