US intelligence warns of Chinese espionage for F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia

According to the news of the New York Times (NYT), based on US officials who did not want their names to be disclosed, intelligence units have prepared various assessments regarding the security risks that the planned F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia may pose.

US officials stated that intelligence analysts have made assessments that China could seize F-35 technology by conducting espionage activities in Saudi Arabia or using military and security cooperation.

In the report prepared by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) of the US Department of Defense (Pentagon), the issues of the Chinese army's access to Saudi bases and the use of Chinese technology in Saudi Arabia's telecommunications infrastructure were discussed.

'CHINA MAY OBTAIN F-35 TECHNOLOGY'

The report included evaluations on whether the USA and Saudi Arabia could ensure the security of the facilities where F-35 technology is located, and pointed out the risk that China could obtain this technology through espionage activities or military and security cooperation with Riyadh.

The report, which specifically addressed concerns about the protection of the F-35's advanced radar and surveillance technology, emphasized that Riyadh should limit its contacts with Chinese military and intelligence personnel.

The report raised questions about whether Saudi Arabia will remove equipment belonging to China-based technology companies Huawei and ZTE from its telecommunications infrastructure, router systems and defense facilities.

The report in question, along with evaluations from other intelligence units, was forwarded to various US institutions as well as to Congressional offices.