US Intelligence Fears Chinese Espionage Risk in Saudi F-35 Deal

U.S. intelligence agencies have expressed concerns that a potential multi-billion dollar deal to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia could enable Chinese espionage. The proposed sale, valued at approximately $24 billion, is still awaiting approval.

Intelligence analysts reportedly fear that China could gain access to F-35 technology through spying within Saudi Arabia or by leveraging its existing military and security partnership with the Kingdom. This concern follows a recent report by Reuters alleging that Chinese state-owned shipping giant COSCO uses hidden equipment on its vessels to intercept military communications near targeted coastlines, including those of the U.S. COSCO has not responded to these allegations, and the Chinese Embassy in Washington has denied them.

Separately, a security source told i24NEWS that cooperation with Saudi Arabia could "reopen the path to expanding the Abraham Accords." The source also commented on recent escalations, suggesting that Turkish President Erdogan's "protection pact" is unreliable and that Israel has presented Saudi Arabia with an opportunity to identify true allies, emphasizing Israel's shared interests with the Kingdom and its willingness to assist.