Defence is to launch an investigation into UK newspaper claims that air force pilots are training the Chinese armed forces in aircraft such as Typhoons, Jaguars, Harriers and Tornados.
The Times of London on Tuesday reported that both current and former RAF personnel were being paid AU$430,000 a year to help China “develop its tactics and technological expertise”.
The Australian then subsequently revealed that RAAF pilots were part of the Western cohort of 30 who were approached through a South African flight school acting as an intermediary.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said he would be “shocked and disturbed” if pilots put being “lured by a paycheck from a foreign state above serving their own country”.
British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey added that anyone caught taking part in the training would be prosecuted.
“We’ve approached the people involved and have been clear of them that it’s our expectation they would not continue to be part of that organisation,” Minister Heappey told Sky News.