China is denying it stole designs for the U.S. F-35 fighter jet in a response to documents said to have been leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and published in a German magazine.
According to one of the documents, which haven’t been verified, U.S. authorities think China stole data for the fighter jet,
including engine schematics and radar design, CNN said.
Analysts say a stealth fighter currently being designed in China resembles the F-35.
“The so-called evidence that has been used to launch groundless accusations against China is completely unjustified,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
Chinese hackers are said to have gotten the designs for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet as part of a
data breach that occurred at Lockheed Martin, UPI reported.
The leaked documents also reveal an alleged $1 billion request made by the NSA in 2013 to prepare for cyber warfare and refer to an alliance between the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand related to cyber warfare, UPI said.
According to the documents, Chinese hackers also sought data on
other jets, nuclear submarines, and other defense projects, The New York Times reported.
The recent revelations turn the tables on China, which has praised Snowden for revealing American cyberspying.
Twitter users reacted with sarcasm.
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