UK Stops CCP Recruiting Former Royal Airforce Pilots

It was reported on October 18th, UK defence ministry said it was taking decisive steps to prevent the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from recruiting former and serving British Royal Airforce pilots to train People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel. Any collusion between former pilots and communist China, which London sees as the number one threat to domestic and global security, is a serious concern, even though British armed forces personnel regularly participate in training exercises with foreign militaries.

Minister of State for the Armed Forces and Veterans James Heappey admitted that such cooperation in order to understand the capabilities of UK Air Force has clearly been a concern within the Ministry of Defence for many years. “Our counter-intelligence people have been looking at it closely”.

Officials had warned the pilot involved to quit. “We are going to put into law that once people have been given that warning, it would become an offence to then go forward and continue with that training.”

The practice has been going on since 2019, but has intensified recently. Over 30 former pilots have accepted offers up to £240,000. Many of those recruited were in their 50s and recently left the British air force.

The defence ministry was reviewing the use of confidentiality contracts and non-disclosure agreements, all serving and retired personnel are subject to the Official Secrets Act to prohibit British public servants from sharing state secrets with foreign powers.

The new national security bill will create additional tools to address contemporary security challenges, including this one.

Beijing denied knowledge of hiring British pilots.

Relations between London and Beijing have soured following Beijing’s crackdown on the former British colony Hong Kong, controversy over tech giant Huawei’s involvement in the rollout of Britain’s 5G network, and concerns over human rights and the expansion of influence.

The CCP’s growing technological dominance is an increasingly pressing problem for the West, who should take action to defend their values and influence.