US Defense Intelligence Warns F-35 Sales to Saudi Arabia Could Aid China
Internal U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency reports indicate that supplying Saudi Arabia with advanced F-35 fighter jets poses a risk of China gaining access to sensitive American technologies, according to The New York Times. The concern stems from a multi-billion dollar deal signed in November 2025 for the sale of 48 F-35s to the Kingdom.
Israel had opposed the agreement, fearing it would erode its regional military qualitative edge, a guarantee the U.S. has provided for decades. Pentagon officials are reportedly worried that the F-35 deliveries could facilitate Chinese technical espionage or direct collaboration, allowing Beijing to study the latest American aviation advancements.
The intelligence report recommends restricting access to F-35 bases and related technological infrastructure to only cleared U.S. and Saudi personnel, and prohibiting Chinese-made equipment at these sites. The authors also question whether Saudi Arabia will limit its military cooperation with China.
Beijing is reportedly leveraging Arab nations' dissatisfaction with the U.S. to advance its geopolitical interests in the region.
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