China Confidential
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
China Suspected in Massive Theft of Pentagon Data
China Confidential has learned that China is the prime suspect in what may be the largest-ever case of electronic espionage against the United States--the online theft of massive quantities of data from Pentagon computers relating to an ultra-sensitive, $300 billion fighter jet called the Joint Strike Fighter.
Lockheed Martin is developing the warplane, also known as the F-35 Lightning II, for the U.S. and several other countries, including the U.K.
China denies that it had anything to with the security breach. The data that was stolen could help adversaries to defend against or even neutralize the fighter jet.
Its development is the Pentagon's costliest weapons program.
Click here for the Wall Street Journal story about the staggering attack. Cyberspies reportedly also broke into the U.S. air traffic control system.
Intelligence experts tell China Confidential China is the main suspect in that assault as well, which raises the specter of aerial terrorism. Chinese military and intelligence units are known to regard terrorism, sabotage, and electronic warfare as important, potentially powerful weapons of asymmetric warfare-- leveraging comparatively inexpensive and simple Chinese technology to defeat far more costly and sophisticated U.S. technology. The Al Qaeda attacks of September 11, 2001, which destroyed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York and a section of the Pentagon without the aid of high-tech weaponry are said to have inspired China to focus resources on asymmetric warfare.
Revelation of the online attack on the Pentagon follows reports that spies had hacked into computers used to manage the U.S. electrical distribution system and other infrastructure. Intelligence experts say most of the attacks--which could shut the country down in time of war--originated in China. Russian hackers may have also been involved in those breaches.
In related espionage news, the Dutch intelligence service has accused China of running an intelligence operation aimed at exerting political influence over the Netherlands. Clickhere to read the AFP report.
China has invested huge sums in developing networks of agents of influence in Europe and the U.S.
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