China’s history of stealing F-35 technology is emerging as a central issue in the ongoing debate over U.S. military sales to Saudi Arabia, according to experts and retired senior commanders. The potential risk of Chinese intelligence exploitation has led to previous rejections of F-35 sales to the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, with concerns that the technology could be transferred to Beijing. Retired Gen. Charles Wald, a former Air Force officer and deputy commander of EUCOM, highlighted that, while Saudi Arabia may not be the most likely country to leak F-35 technology directly, the risks of Chinese cyber intrusion are substantial. During a briefing at JINSA this week, Wald emphasized that the broader issue lies with Beijing’s demonstrated capability to penetrate U.S. defense programs, including potential theft of the F-35 itself. He noted that the greatest concern lies not in Saudi Arabia sharing the technology, but in the possibility of China exploiting the aircraft’s capabilities through intelligence efforts.
China expert Gordon Chang has warned that the country has already demonstrated its ability to steal American military technology and should be assumed to have gained access to the F-35.