AFp
News from the NOS•today, 08:51
China pays former Western defense pilots to train their army, the British Defense Ministry says. In recent years, around 30 former UK soldiers have accepted this offer.
“It’s a lucrative offer,” the BBC said, quoting an unnamed Western official. These would be amounts of up to 270,000 euros converted. But the British military is urging former pilots, including allies, not to cooperate with the so-called Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
Taiwan escalation
China can use its acquired knowledge and skills against the West. For example, if the Taiwan issue escalates. Beijing considers the island a renegade province, which, if necessary, must be forcibly “reunited” with the mainland. While Taiwan’s democratically elected government wants to remain independent, with the defensive backing of the West.
The UK found the first cases of former pilots recruited from China in 2019. However, no evidence was found that former army employees violated any laws, the UK Ministry of Defense reports. Army pilots had to sign a confidentiality agreement; they must not share confidential information about their service time.
Large capacity
Because of their experience with helicopters and fighter jets, for example, the former pilots are very attractive to China, the anonymous Western official continues. “These are highly skilled people who can help the Chinese military improve their tactics and skills.”
