Four former New Zealand Defence Force personnel have been warned their decision to work for a South African flight school will likely impact any future employment with the force.
The UK has cracked down on former military pilots working at the Test Flying Academy of South Africa, suspected to be an intermediary for China’s People’s Liberation Army to recruit pilots.
A spokesperson for Defence Minister Peeni Henare said the Defence Force is aware of four former staff who quit to work for the academy, and they have probably jeopardised any future attempts to get a national security clearance.
“NZDF personnel are free to be able to gain employment once they leave service, however depending on their decisions, there may be repercussions to any future employment with the [force],” a Defence Force spokesperson said.
People needed to “possess and demonstrate an appropriate level of integrity, and hold character traits such as honesty, trustworthiness and loyalty,” to gain national security clearance, the spokesperson said.
