A failed diversity hiring scheme has left the Royal Air Force (RAF) struggling with a severe pilot shortage, The Telegraph has reported. The crisis is so severe that previously rejected candidates and older applicants with experience in "flying-related" roles are now being urged to reapply.

During Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston's tenure, the RAF aimed to have 40% women and 20% personnel from ethnic minorities by 2030. However, leaked emails revealed that air chiefs were told to stop selecting "useless white male pilots" as part of the diversity push.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton later issued an apology after the recruitment bias became public. A review found that 31 white male pilot trainees were held back due to the policy. They later received compensation as the RAF admitted its hiring targets were "unrealistic."

According to the report, the RAF is currently facing a 30% shortage of pilots at the rank of Flight Lieutenant and Squadron Leader. With Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer vowing to put "jets in the sky" to support Ukraine, this lack of manpower could pose a serious challenge.

Mark Francois, the shadow Armed Forces minister, pointed out that multiple factors have led to the RAF's pilot shortage. These include recruitment issues due to diversity policies, pilots opting for civilian airline jobs after COVID-19, and technical problems with training aircraft, especially engine failures on the Hawk T2.

"This is a serious issue. If we want to have 'jets in the sky' to help defend a Ukraine peace deal, we need enough trained pilots to fly them," he emphasized.

An internal RAF document from March 5, titled Opportunities for Professional Transfer to the Pilot Specialisation, reveals that personnel from other RAF branches are now being asked to reapply for pilot training. A similar program has also been introduced to train more weapons systems operators to address the shortage.

Responding to the concerns, an RAF spokesperson assured that the Air Force has "enough pilots and aircrew to carry out all current missions and frontline duties" despite the reported challenges.

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