RAF Faces Severe Pilot Shortage After Unlawful Diversity Recruitment Scheme

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is currently grappling with a significant pilot shortage attributed to an unlawful diversity recruitment scheme that prioritized women and ethnic minorities, sidelining white male candidates. An internal document revealed the urgent need for more pilots, prompting the RAF to encourage previously rejected applicants to reapply and consider older candidates with relevant flying experience. This recruitment crisis coincides with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's commitment to enhancing military readiness, including air support for Ukraine, as part of a broader defense spending increase. The situation has been described as a 'perfect storm' caused by the diversity drive, a resurgence in civilian airline hiring post-COVID, and technical issues with training aircraft. Despite the RAF's claims of having sufficient aircrew for current operations, the need for a higher number of pilots in training has become a pressing issue. The RAF has acknowledged that some individuals experienced discrimination due to the past recruitment practices, with compensation awarded to affected candidates.