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China recruits former British military pilots

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China recruits former British military pilots

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Old 17th Oct 2022, 23:44
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Thumbs down China recruits former British military pilots

China's armed forces recruiting dozens of British ex military pilots in 'threat to UK interests'

https://news.sky.com/story/chinas-armed-forces-recruiting-dozens-of-british-ex-military-pilots-in-threat-to-uk-interests-12723395
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 00:10
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Doesn't the Official Secrets Act prevent the disclosure of sensitive information to a foreign power?
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 00:17
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Lengthy Twitter thread on this here:




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Old 18th Oct 2022, 00:53
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Really?
I find it very hard to believe that even for the sums of money quoted - former Fast Jet pilots would literally side with the enemy.
And ex-military personnel actually travelling to mainland China under the current regime?
I would have thought that would be a one way trip.
Waiting on official confirmation from the MOD...
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 01:07
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Originally Posted by tartare
Really?
I find it very hard to believe that even for the sums of money quoted - former Fast Jet pilots would literally side with the enemy.
Enemy?
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 01:23
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A potential enemy.
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 01:30
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Thats the problem. Is China an enemy or just a country with an aggressive foreign policy? Don't forget that the Me109 prototype flew with a Kestrel engine and the MiG 15 was developed around the copy of the RR Nene which was provided to the USSR. Fast jet pilots have been going to Saudi Arabia for years even though there is a suggestion of official support for the September 11 operation. Personally I don't think it will make much difference because they will be trying to teach pilots indoctrinated in CCP culture to fly with a Western mindset. It could also be unofficially sanctioned as a way of getting intel on the PLAF way of doing business.
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 04:20
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a cunning plan?

how would China know, until too late, if these instructors were intentionally teaching them the very worst way to respond to "Western" fighter jet tactics, whilst the "Western" fighter jet tactics are being changed after an eyes on examination of current Chinese fighter jet tactics?
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 05:17
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Just remember…

Money is not the answer (with regards to retention). Or so we keep being told.

BV
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 05:47
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The thought of the UK and Allied defence industry being so poor and lacking in opportunities that ex Fast Jet instructors would go and work in South Africa for the CCP Chinese makes the stomach turn

what a disappointing situation if true. The irony that some of the old guard wouldn’t join BALPA because Unions were a nod to communism
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 06:27
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Dogma

Who says they’re working in South Africa? Some of them may have been recruited by an agency based there, but I think you’ll find the flying takes place a long way North and East of South Africa.

BV
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 07:02
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I suspect they are compensating for pension theft.

IG

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Old 18th Oct 2022, 07:22
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Traitors......off with their heads.
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 07:24
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One official said some 30 mainly ex-fast jet but also some helicopter pilots - lured by annual salaries of around £240,000 - are currently in China training pilots for the People's Liberation Army, in what a defence analyst described as a stunning breach of security.

The situation is so grave, the Ministry of Defence's Defence Intelligence service on Tuesday issued a "threat alert" to warn serving and former military personnel against such approaches.

China is using third-party head-hunters, including a company based in South Africa, to target personnel, the western official said.

The official named the company as the Test Flying Academy of South Africa, though stressed it had no connection with the South African government.
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 07:26
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Originally Posted by 70 Mustang
how would China know, until too late, if these instructors were intentionally teaching them the very worst way to respond to "Western" fighter jet tactics, whilst the "Western" fighter jet tactics are being changed after an eyes on examination of current Chinese fighter jet tactics?
Indeed - a gold-plated opportunity to get first hand intel on their capabilities, intentions, morale etc, not to mention the possibility of recruiting a few assets of our own.
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 07:30
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Originally Posted by WB627
Doesn't the Official Secrets Act prevent the disclosure of sensitive information to a foreign power?
According to the reports, the Official Secrets Act hasn't been broken in these cases - seems they're passing on their personal expertise rather than technical knowledge of specific sensitive systems.
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 07:32
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Originally Posted by Bob Viking
Who says they’re working in South Africa? Some of them may have been recruited by an agency based there, but I think you’ll find the flying takes place a long way North and East of South Africa.

BV
You seem very well informed….and didn’t you just leave the RAF….😁
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 07:32
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Originally Posted by jolihokistix
A potential enemy.
If not 'enemy', then certainly a 'threat' https://www.theguardian.com/politics...n-policy-shift
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 07:35
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What's the penalty for treason? Hanging or firing squad?
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Old 18th Oct 2022, 07:36
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Bound over for £ 200 and 2 years. Or 100 hours of community service. But you get a book deal out of it

Formally:-
A person convicted of treason is liable to imprisonment for life or for any shorter term.[64] A whole life tariffmay be imposed for the gravest offences

the Truss rabble were talking of bringing in a revised Treason Act but given the Braverman would be drafting it is unlikely to pass - people are squeamish about burning people at the stake these days
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