UK says it knew all along about F-35 Chinese supplier link
Despite past controversy surrounding F-35 supplier links with China, the UK MoD has suggested that risk assessments indicated no cause for concern.
The UK MoD has said it was always aware a F-35 circuit board supplier based in Gloucestershire belonged to Chinese parent company Shenzhen Fast Print.
Exception PCB, which continues to supply circuit boards for the fifth-generation fighter jet programme, passed a risk assessment carried out by the MoD, years before reports emerged of the company being tied to Chinese ownership, according to Jeremy Quin, Minister for Defence Procurement.
He explained during a House of Commons Defence Committee hearing on 14 December that the risk assessment result was subsequently communicated to the Lightning II joint programme, Lockheed Martin and other industry
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements]()
GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements
The US Government Accountability Office recently released two reports; one into the availability of selected equipment and another looking at how the government gets data and intellectual property rights through contracting.
-
![How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence]()
How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence
The Canadian Department of National Defence has been increasing efforts to accelerate the acquisition of new equipment and modernise its in-service inventory.
-
![Palantir and Boeing partner up to bring AI to defence manufacturing]()
Palantir and Boeing partner up to bring AI to defence manufacturing
The partnership with the US airframer will see Palantir’s AI software leveraged to help streamline data analytics across Boeing’s 12 factories on defence and classified programmes.
-
![DroneShield to double its US footprint to meet growing demand for counter-UxS capabilities]()
DroneShield to double its US footprint to meet growing demand for counter-UxS capabilities
DroneShield disclosed to Shephard its plans to increase its workforce and manufacturing capacities while strengthening partnerships with US suppliers.
-
![Singapore’s DSTA seeks wider partnerships to advance robotics and AI capabilities]()
Singapore’s DSTA seeks wider partnerships to advance robotics and AI capabilities
The technology organisation is expecting a significant rise in the number of staff working across robotics and digital solutions as it becomes more of a focal point.
