Australia Block Pilots From Training Chinese Military

Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles has ordered an urgent review of secrecy policies in the military in response to concerns that Australian pilots were among military personnel recruited to provide training to the Chinese military.

The defence minister said on Wednesday that enough evidence had been provided to warrant a “detailed examination into the adequacy of current defence policies and procedures”, and that to reveal Australian military secrets was a “clear and unambiguous” crime.

“It’s no secret that defence activities, people and assets are targets for foreign intelligence services,” the minister said in a statement.

The Minister ordered the review of Australians training Chinese forces after asking the department of defence last month to investigate reports that China had approached former Australian military personnel to become trainers.

The UK and Canada have also expressed concerns that China is attempting to poach military expertise.

The UK’s Defence Ministry last month issued an intelligence alert warning former and current military pilots against Chinese programs aimed at recruiting them.

BBC reported that about 30 former British military pilots are currently in China training Chinese military pilots.

The reports said the pilots are paid annual salaries of 240,000 British pounds ($272,000) for the training.

Canada’s Department of National Defence was also investigating its former service personnel, noting they remained bound by secrecy commitments after they leave the Canadian Armed Forces.