US Intelligence Fears Saudi F-35 Deal Could Leak Secrets to China

U.S. intelligence agencies have expressed deep concerns in internal documents that China could gain access to sensitive F-35 fighter jet technology through a potential arms deal selling dozens of these aircraft to Saudi Arabia. According to a report by the New York Times, analysts from the Pentagon's intelligence agency believe Beijing might acquire advanced radar and surveillance systems through espionage on Saudi soil or via deepening security cooperation between Riyadh and Beijing.

U.S. intelligence is worried about the presence of Chinese military personnel at Saudi bases and the Kingdom's extensive use of communication equipment from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE in its security facilities. These concerns have prompted U.S. security officials to demand strict limitations on the proposed $24 billion deal, which involves 48 F-35 aircraft recently submitted for Congressional review.

Among the proposed restrictions are limiting access to F-35 facilities to authorized American and Saudi personnel only, removing Chinese communication equipment from bases where the jets will operate, and requiring Riyadh to curtail its military interactions with Chinese security and intelligence entities.

This potential deal also raises concerns in Israel, which fears a compromise to its qualitative military edge in the region.