Could China Steal F-35 Technology Through Saudi Arabia Deal? Link to News with Flags Amidst Beijing Past Records | Today’s news
A confidential U.S. intelligence assessment has raised concerns that China could gain access to sensitive U.S. military technology if Washington proceeds with a proposed sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a report said.
The New York Times reported that US intelligence officials warned that China could potentially obtain information about the F-35 through espionage in Saudi Arabia or through Beijing’s expanding military and security ties with Riyadh.
The proposed package, which has advanced further through the US approval process, includes 48 F-35 aircraft and a spare engine, with the deal valued at around $24 billion.
Why is China interested in the F-35?
The concern goes beyond whether Chinese personnel could physically gain access to the F-35.
The aircraft contains highly sensitive technologies, including advanced radars, sensors, electronic systems, communications and surveillance capabilities.
The report says US intelligence officials reportedly fear that China’s military ties to Saudi Arabia, combined with the presence of Chinese technology in Saudi infrastructure, could create potential avenues for intelligence gathering.
The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment reportedly questioned whether Chinese military and intelligence personnel and associated entities could be kept out of locations where F-35-related technology would be stored or operated.
Another concern concerns Chinese telecommunications equipment. According to The New York Times, the assessment questioned whether Saudi Arabia would agree to remove equipment made by Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE from telecommunications networks, routers and some defense equipment.
Saudi Arabia’s growing defense ties with China
The American concern comes against the backdrop of Riyadh’s expanding defense ties with Beijing.
Saudi Arabia has purchased ballistic missiles from China, while Chinese military personnel have helped the kingdom with missile-related capabilities, including building production facilities and improving missile operations, according to US officials cited by The New York Times.
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The bigger problem: China’s past record
The F-35 debate also reflects a much broader US concern about China’s methods of acquiring advanced foreign technology.
For years, US authorities have accused Chinese state actors of using a combination of cyberespionage, intellectual property theft, insider recruitment and other methods to obtain sensitive technology.
The FBI has previously said it has investigated more than a thousand cases involving the actual or attempted theft of US technology linked to China.
There have also been specific cases involving military equipment. In one case, the US Department of Justice said a Chinese national admitted to stealing sensitive military program documents from United Technologies and transferring them to China, with the information intended to benefit the Chinese defense industry.
The China issue is not the only complication surrounding the proposed Saudi F-35 sale. The deal could also raise concerns for Israel, given Saudi Arabia’s geographical proximity to Israel.
Israel has historically been the only West Asian operator of the F-35, flying a modified version known as the F-35I.
