An imminent arms deal with Saudi Arabia could open the door to a massive intelligence leak to China, an internal report from the Pentagon’s chief intel arm reportedly warned Friday.
The U.S. is currently working on finalizing a deal to sell 48 F-35 multirole fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to the tune of billions of dollars, but a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report warned that the deal could allow China to collect vital intel on the advanced jet’s highly classified inner workings, sources with knowledge of the assessment told the New York Times. Saudi Arabia is a defense partner with China, with Beijing helping the House of Saud build its own ballistic missile arsenal in past years.
The DIA warns China could obtain sensitive F-35 intel through that relationship with the Saudis if the U.S. deal goes through.
China has a long history of stealing American defense and civilian technology via espionage or attempting to copy American designs. The F-35 is widely regarded as the most advanced American offering in fighter jets. (RELATED: China Can’t Even Hack America Without Importing American Technology First)
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud shakes hands with China’s President Xi Jinping (R) before the G20 leaders’ family photo in Hangzhou on September 4, 2016. (Photo by GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. officials are discussing whether or not to place safeguards on the classified portions of the aircraft in the sale, according to the NYT.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to meet President Donald Trump on Tuesday in the Oval Office, with U.S. officials telling the NYT that the F-35 deal and expanding defense cooperation will be the primary topics covered in their discussion.
Saudi Arabia is one of China’s most prolific oil suppliers, supplying 36 million barrels to Beijing in November 2025, according to Reuters.
Some defense experts have speculated that the Chinese J-20 fighter jet contains stolen technology from American vessels. Additionally, a dual Chinese-American citizen pleaded guilty in June to stealing U.S. missile technology to sell to China.
China regularly engages in extensive espionage operations on American soil, including efforts to steal classified information.
“President Trump looks forward to welcoming Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud to the White House, where the two leaders will participate in an official working visit,” a White House official told the Daily Caller News Foundation in a statement. “We will not get ahead of the President on conversations that are occurring ahead of time.”
The Pentagon told the DCNF that they would not comment on “intelligence matters,” and deferred to the White House.
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