The US Department of War has expressed concern that with the possible sale of American F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, data on their technology will be transferred to China. Pentagon officials who studied the deal expressed concern that F-35 technology could be compromised due to China’s security partnership with Saudi Arabia. The United States and Saudi Arabia are still working out the elements of an agreement, according to which American arms manufacturers will sell 48 F-35 aircraft to Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh wanted to gain air superiority in the region. The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, planned to buy F-35s from the United States during his upcoming trip there on November 1. The ongoing negotiations between Washington and Riyadh regarding the conclusion of a mutual defense pact were reported.
Sale of F-35 to Saudi Arabia Raises Concerns Over Data Transfer to China
