U.S. Intelligence Warns Saudi F-35 Sale Could Expose Classified Technology to China

In internal documents, the U.S. intelligence community warned that the massive deal to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia could allow China to gain access to sensitive technologies in the advanced aircraft, according to a report overnight Wednesday into Thursday in The New York Times.

According to the report, the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency prepared a report several months ago that examined, among other things, Chinese military personnel's access to bases in Saudi Arabia and the kingdom's use of Chinese communications technologies. It specifically mentioned equipment from Huawei and ZTE installed in Saudi infrastructure and facilities.

American analysts are concerned that Beijing could obtain information about the F-35's advanced radar and tracking systems through espionage or as part of the security cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia. The report also raises doubts about Washington's and Riyadh's ability to properly secure the sites where the sensitive technology would be located.

The deal, which has been sent to Congress for review, includes 48 F-35 aircraft and is estimated at approximately $24 billion. Saudi Arabia had sought to purchase the jets for a long time, and last November, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to the request.

In response to the concerns, security officials are demanding that access to the aircraft compounds be limited to authorized American and Saudi personnel only, that Chinese communications equipment be removed from the relevant bases, and that Riyadh's military contacts with Chinese security and intelligence officials be restricted. Similar concerns were also raised in 2020 over the attempted sale of F-35 aircraft to the United Arab Emirates.

The deal is also raising concerns in Israel over the potential impact on its Qualitative Military Edge (QME). For Saudi Arabia, the need for air superiority has taken on added importance amid the campaign against the Houthis, who have taken control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Less than a month ago, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, reported that the Houthis intend to expand the confrontation with the kingdom, deploy capabilities they have not yet used, and move the fighting to its southern border.