The Trump administration’s attempt to finalize a deal to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia could be in jeopardy, after a Pentagon intelligence report raised concerns that China could acquire the warplane’s technology if the sale proceeds, The New York Times reported Thursday.
Pentagon officials who have studied the deal have expressed fears that F-35 technology could be compromised through Chinese espionage or China’s security partnership with Saudi Arabia, according to the report.
The Trump administration and Saudi Arabia have been trying to work out the final elements of an agreement in which U.S. weapons manufacturers would sell 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia for billions of dollars.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to meet with President Trump at the White House on Tuesday, and the top items on the agenda are said to include the potential F-35 deal and a mutual defense agreement.
Lockheed Martin (LMT) is the primary contractor that makes the F-35 jet, while Northrop Grumman (NOC) produces the center fuselage and BAE Systems (OTCPK:BAESF) (OTCPK:BAESY) also is a principal partner in the program.