US intelligence warns that the F-35 fighter jet sale contract to Saudi Arabia could put sensitive te

US intelligence warns that the F-35 fighter jet sale contract to Saudi Arabia could put sensitive technology at risk of leaking to China.

According to The New York Times, citing US officials familiar with internal assessments, US intelligence officials have warned that the proposed $24 billion deal to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia could potentially put sensitive aviation technology at risk of espionage by China.

According to the report, intelligence analysts are concerned that China could gain access to F-35 technology through espionage in Saudi Arabia or through Riyadh's expanding military and defense ties with Beijing.

A recent assessment by the US Defense Intelligence Agency examined Chinese military access to Saudi bases and China's use of telecommunications equipment in the kingdom, and also questioned whether US and Saudi authorities would be able to ensure proper security at facilities housing sensitive F-35 systems.