PPRuNe Forums

PPRuNe Forums (https://www.pprune.org/)
-   Military Aviation (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation-57/)
-   -   China recruits former British military pilots (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/649404-china-recruits-former-british-military-pilots.html)

wondering 17th Oct 2022 23:44

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

WB627 18th Oct 2022 00:10

Doesn't the Official Secrets Act prevent the disclosure of sensitive information to a foreign power?

Wokkafans 18th Oct 2022 00:17

Lengthy Twitter thread on this here:





tartare 18th Oct 2022 00:53

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...

rudestuff 18th Oct 2022 01:07


Originally Posted by tartare (Post 11315103)
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?

jolihokistix 18th Oct 2022 01:23

A potential enemy.

Lookleft 18th Oct 2022 01:30

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.

70 Mustang 18th Oct 2022 04:20

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?

Bob Viking 18th Oct 2022 05:17

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

BV

Dogma 18th Oct 2022 05:47

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

Bob Viking 18th Oct 2022 06:27

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

Imagegear 18th Oct 2022 07:02

I suspect they are compensating for pension theft.

IG


PapaDolmio 18th Oct 2022 07:22

Traitors......off with their heads.

Asturias56 18th Oct 2022 07:24

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.

dead_pan 18th Oct 2022 07:26


Originally Posted by 70 Mustang (Post 11315140)
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.

melmothtw 18th Oct 2022 07:30


Originally Posted by WB627 (Post 11315098)
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.

Wrathmonk 18th Oct 2022 07:32


Originally Posted by Bob Viking (Post 11315167)
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….😁

melmothtw 18th Oct 2022 07:32


Originally Posted by jolihokistix (Post 11315108)
A potential enemy.

If not 'enemy', then certainly a 'threat' https://www.theguardian.com/politics...n-policy-shift

Soab 18th Oct 2022 07:35

What's the penalty for treason? Hanging or firing squad?

Asturias56 18th Oct 2022 07:36

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


All times are GMT. The time now is 16:00.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.