Retired RAF pilots who went to China to train its air force were also tasked with stealing its military secrets, Whitehall sources have revealed.
It emerged earlier in the week that British defence intelligence issued a rare “threat alert”, warning that China’s military recruited serving and former RAF jet pilots to help train its own air force.
One official said some, 30 mainly ex-fast jet but also some helicopter pilots, are currently in China training pilots for the People's Liberation Army with an annual salary of around £240,000.
