US advances $24.3bn Saudi F-35 deal despite warnings of Chinese espionage

The US State Department has formally advanced a $24.3 billion deal to sell dozens of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, triggering warnings from intelligence officials and lawmakers that America's most advanced military secrets could leak to China.

The proposed sale, which went to Congress on Thursday, includes 48 of the Lockheed Martin-built warplanes and 49 Pratt & Whitney engines. It moves Riyadh a massive step closer to acquiring the world's most advanced stealth aircraft. But the transaction has run straight into intense concern over the Saudi kingdom's deepening security and technology ties with Beijing.

Internal US intelligence assessments, including a Defense Intelligence Agency report circulated to administration officials and congressional offices, have warned that China is highly likely to target the F-35 program. Analysts fear Beijing could acquire the jet's classified radar and surveillance technology either through direct espionage inside Saudi Arabia or by leveraging its growing security partnership with the kingdom.

The intelligence reports raise specific questions about whether Saudi Arabia can maintain secure facilities for the aircraft. They highlight the presence of telecommunications equipment from Chinese tech giants Huawei and ZTE inside Saudi infrastructure and defense installations. Intelligence officials also noted that the Chinese military has previously had access to Saudi bases, and has helped Riyadh develop and build its own ballistic missiles.

"It could put the crown jewels of American military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party," warned Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, who came out against the sale on Thursday.

The deal was first announced by Donald Trump last November, just before a White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It mirrors a similar effort during Trump's first term to sell F-35s to the United Arab Emirates. That deal was eventually abandoned by the Biden administration over concerns about the UAE's technology links with Beijing.

The State Department insisted on Thursday that the sale would support US foreign policy objectives and "will not alter the military balance in the region." Under US law, Washington must ensure that any arms sale to Arab nations does not degrade Israel's qualitative military edge. Israel is currently the only Middle East nation operating the F-35, with a fleet of 50 jets and plans to buy more.

The advancement of the deal also comes as Saudi Arabia is dragged deeper into conflict with Houthi rebels in Yemen. Just this week, Saudi officials reported that debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed one person in Taif province. While Riyadh has pressed the US for direct military intervention against the group, Washington has so far resisted.