Exclusive: Several French pilots have been working as instructor in #China to train #PLA air force, two former military sources confirmed me. I interviewed a French Navy pilot who was approached to train China aircraft carrier pilots @Le_Figaro A thread.
lefigaro.fr/international/…
lefigaro.fr/international/…
"I was truly tempted" told me the man in his 40, who used to take off from the French Aircraft carrier #CharlesdeGaulle and was offered 20 000 euros monthly salary through South African agency TFASA who has also hired numerous former #RAF pilots as revealed by @haynesdeborah
"They are specifically looking for pilots who have experience flying from aircraft carrier" as the PLA is ramping up this new capability. The French Navy pilots are a coveted target as France is only nation to have aircraft carrier using catapult alongside US and China.
The salary offered is substantially higher than what other Air force such as Qatar pay their foreign instructor, pointing to Beijing's staunch determination to speed up its pilot training, amid escalating tensions with US.
"I eventually turned down the offer as I did not want to get into trouble. And also for ethical reason, as #China is not our side" told me the pilot, who has worked as instructor in numerous countries. END.
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