In Dossier No. 43, made possible by the Augustus Foundation contribution, Pietro Orizio addresses the issue of China's hiring of Western pilots in an attempt to hoard the know-how of foreign air forces.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

  • In recent years, and particularly since last fall, there have been increasing cases of former Western military pilots being hired by China.
  • Several veterans, from the U.S., Germany, France, Britain, Australia and New Zealand, have provided advice and training to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Forces.
  • Beijing's outright scouting campaign has raised many concerns among Western governments, forcing them to assess or revise procedures and mechanisms to protect their doctrines, strategies and tactics of air power and beyond.
  • Italy does not appear to be involved in the trend for the time being, but through others' experiences, it should develop an appropriate awareness to handle it in the best possible way, should similar cases arise here at home.

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Dossier 43 - Piloti occidentali al servizio della Repubblica Popolare Cinese
pietro orizio

A freelance journalist, he writes for "Analisi Difesa." He has also published for "Limes," "Panorama Difesa," "Rassegna Carabinieri" and "Rivista Militare." Author of Il terrorismo a Brescia dopo l'11 settembre. Una mappatura di radicalizzazione e prevenzione tra città e provincia. He focuses on private military and security companies (PMSC) and terrorism. Graduate in International Management (Catholic University of Brescia) with 2nd Level Master in Preventing and Countering Radicalization and Terrorism (University of Bergamo).