China Recruits Former Western Military Pilots, Raising Security Concerns
China has been recruiting former military pilots from Western countries to train its military aviators, raising significant security concerns. These pilots, from countries such as the U.S., UK, Germany, and Australia, are being hired through intermediaries and civilian contracts, exploiting legal loopholes to transfer NATO tactical expertise to the Chinese military. This practice has been ongoing since at least 2019, with the aim of absorbing Western air force tactics and preparing for potential conflicts in regions like the Taiwan Strait. The recruitment has prompted regulatory responses, including sanctions and legal measures, to curb the transfer of military knowledge.