Concerns are growing over China’s attempts to steal U.S. military technology, particularly regarding the potential sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, as highlighted by experts and retired military officials.
Retired General Charles Wald, who once served as a deputy commander of EUCOM, noted that the U.S. has already denied the United Arab Emirates and Turkey access to the F-35 due to worries about technology being transferred to China. “We told Turkey and the UAE that they wouldn’t get the F-35. The main issue with Saudi Arabia is less about them giving it to China and more about China’s capability to exploit the technology,” he explained during a recent briefing.
China expert Gordon Chan stressed that Beijing has shown it can penetrate U.S. defense systems and should be a concern when discussing F-35s. “You have to consider that they might have everything already. They’ve stolen a plane before, and likely can do so again,” he asserted. Chan emphasized the importance of maintaining robust ties with Saudi Arabia, especially if it paves the way for diplomatic agreements like the Abraham Accords. He mentioned concerns about other U.S. allies as well, particularly South Korea, which might pose risks of sharing classified information with China.
Chinese intelligence has long been suspected of attempts to acquire U.S. military technology, especially regarding advanced systems used in stealth designs and avionics. U.S. officials have previously suggested that Chinese cyber operatives could be involved in the theft of sensitive information tied to major defense programs.
Amid these challenges, the U.S. is still weighing Saudi Arabia’s F-35 request as part of larger negotiations that could include defense commitments and diplomatic progress with Israel.
Retired Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, ex-director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, mentioned that while the Foreign Military Sales Surveillance Protocol is in place to mitigate risks, it isn’t foolproof. “We’re closely watching how advanced systems are utilized, but there’s still vulnerability,” he said.
Interestingly, former military leaders believe that Saudi Arabia’s acquisition of F-35s wouldn’t necessarily diminish Israel’s military advantage. Wald pointed out Israel’s superior training and technological adaptations. “There’s a significant gap between Israel’s capabilities and those of other nations,” he claimed, noting Israel’s modifications to enhance the jet’s performance ahead of potential conflicts.
Even if the sale goes through, Wald highlighted that it would take years for Saudi Arabia to actually receive the planes. He predicts that benefits from additional F-35s in the region could bolster shared defense strategies against Iran over time. Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Fox added that as more allied forces acquire F-35s, their collective capabilities would improve, thanks in part to the fighter jet’s advanced data-sharing features.
