“The Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and its members are committed to maintaining national security,” a National Defense spokesperson told CTVNews.ca. “We are aware of these reports and are looking into this further with federal partners.” In October, the BBC and others reported that up to 30 former British military pilots traveled to train members of China’s People’s Liberation Army. Former military personnel from other allied nations, including Australia and Canada, are also reportedly being targeted by middlemen with offers that can include six-figure payouts. The BBC reports that fighter jet, helicopter and other pilots are being sought to help the Chinese military learn how British and allied forces operate, information that could prove vital in a potential conflict such as the one over Taiwan. “When ex-UK military pilots provide training to China’s People’s Liberation Army, it clearly erodes the UK’s defense advantage,” the UK Ministry of Defense said in a statement on 18 October. “We are taking immediate action to prevent and punish this activity.” In Canada, a retired military source told CTVNews.ca that they are aware of former members of the Royal Canadian Air Force being approached with and turned down by offers to train military pilots in China. They did not know if others had accepted and claimed they first learned of these activities in a 2014 briefing. While it’s unclear whether any Canadians have accepted an offer, according to The Globe and Mail, several former Royal Canadian Air Force pilots are currently employed at a South African flight school that reportedly also trains Chinese military pilots. “The Information Security Act applies to both current and former members and failure to comply with the Act could have serious consequences,” the Canadian defense spokesman said, referring to legislation affecting those with federal security clearances. . Consequences for violating the Information Security Act can include up to 14 years in prison on an indictment for “Unauthorized Communication of Classified Operational Information.” “As an institution that supports democratic principles and the rule of law, we trust and expect current and former [Canadian Armed Forces] members to uphold the institution’s values,” the National Defense spokesperson added. “Any conduct that could potentially harm Canadian national interests is a breach of that trust and will be dealt with appropriately. As our work on this matter continues, it would not be appropriate to comment further.” At a defense committee meeting on Thursday, members of Parliament were told by a brigadier general that enforcement of information security law falls to the Ministry of Justice, to which the matter has been referred. Opposition defense critic James Bezan says the Conservatives expect the federal government to fully investigate these reports and hold anyone who has broken Canadian law accountable. “It is very disturbing to learn that former members of the RCAF are possibly training fighter pilots for the communist regime in Beijing,” the Manitoba MP told CTVNews.ca. “Not only is this unpatriotic, but it could undermine national security for Canada and our allies.” According to Reuters, a former US military pilot and flight instructor who worked in China was arrested in Australia in October on unspecified charges at a US request. Australian authorities say they are also investigating reports of their pilots being approached. The BBC reports that the UK has been told to recruit pilots in 2019 and that efforts have now increased with the easing of pandemic-related travel restrictions. With files from Reuters
