China has recruited 30 former fighter pilots from Britain to train its own air aces, the Mirror can reveal.
In a move that is “a threat to the UK and Western interests”, the instructors – many in their 50s – were enticed with salaries of up to £240,000.
Experienced in flying Typhoons, Jaguars, Harriers and Tornados, they will teach China’s People’s Liberation Army as part of Beijing’s push to make its military a world-leader by 2049.
Authorities do not think anyone skilled in flying the F-35B has been recruited. And sources do not think any pilots working in China have breached the Official Secrets Act.
But one official said: “We’re taking measures to dissuade current and ex-pilots from being recruited.”
They also confirmed our “disapproval of these schemes publicly as they pose a threat to the UK and Western interests”, adding: “We want to avoid any perception by China that our previous silence on this matter is misinterpreted as acceptance or approval.”
A “threat alert” has been issued to warn ex-personnel Beijing is still trying to recruit pilots. Sources said people were taken on via a firm based in South Africa.
The Ministry of Defence said: “We are taking decisive steps to stop Chinese recruitment schemes.
“The National Security Bill will create tools to tackle contemporary security challenges – including this one.”
Armed Forces Minister James Heappey told Sky News: “It’s been a concern within the MOD for a number of years - our counter intelligence people have been looking at it closely.
“We have approached the people that are involved and been clear with them, that it is our expectation that they would not continue to be part of that.
“And we are going to put into law that once people have been given that warning, it will become an offence to then go forward and continue with that training.”
He added: “Don’t go and train foreign Air Forces without checking with the MOD wether they’re a foreign Air Force they want to see you train. That would be a pretty good rule.”
