The US defense intelligence director on Tuesday warned that the US’ technological edge over China is at risk because of cybertheft.
Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, director of the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), told a congressional hearing the US retains technological superiority.
However, he said China had stolen “a lot” of intellectual property from US defense contractors and that effort continues.
He has declined to say publicly whether that has affected US defense capabilities.
“I do not believe we are at this point losing our technological edge, but it is at risk based on some of their cyberactivities,” Stewart told a US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee hearing on worldwide threats.
CYBERESPIONAGE
Stewart’s comments underscored the strains between the US and China over cyberespionage.
In May last year, US authorities indicted five Chinese military officials over allegations they targeted big-name US makers of nuclear and solar technology.
China denied the allegations.
Then in September last year, the US Senate Armed Services Committee reported that hackers associated with the Chinese government repeatedly penetrated the computer systems of the US Transportation Command, showing vulnerabilities in the US military’s system to deploy troops and equipment in a crisis.
‘SIGNIFICANT THREAT’
Stewart told lawmakers that China was designing their forces to counter the US military, and Chinese training and weaponry, including missiles, aircraft and space defense capabilities, pose a “significant threat” to US forces in the western Pacific.
His written testimony noted China’s increasing power projection in the Indian Ocean, with two submarine deployments there last year and modernization of its air force “on a scale unprecedented in its history.”
He said China is deploying growing numbers of an anti-ship ballistic missiles, which analysts have said pose a potential threat to US aircraft carriers.
Stewart said China also has two stealth fighter jet programs and is developing a missile defense system.
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