China’s Control Over Critical US Military Technology

(OurNationNews.com) A retired U.S. general is raising warning flags over what he calls the U.S. military’s overdependence on Chinese technology, which could hamper America’s readiness and national security if heightened tensions between the U.S. and China come to a head.

Retired U.S. Army Major General John G. Ferrari said that the U.S. military sources more than 40% — almost half – of the essential semiconductors it needs from suppliers from China. Given China’s largely friendly relations with countries hostile to the U.S. such as North Korea and Russia, as well as its bullying of its smaller Asian neighbors such as Taiwan and longtime ally the Philippines, the Asian giant could very well cut off Chinese firms and manufacturers from fulfilling orders meant for the U.S. military.

According to Ferrari, the U.S. military uses Chinese semiconductors in anywhere from fighter jets to air-to-air-missiles.

In the event that a war with China breaks out, “we wouldn’t be able to build the planes and weapons we needed” because China would cut off supplies headed to the U.S., Ferrari said. During his service, Ferrari served as deputy commander for NATO’s operations in Afghanistan.

China enjoys a massive influence and impact in the global manufacturing sector, which at times overlaps and compromises U.S. national security. Two years ago, deliveries of the U.S.’ flagship F-35 fighter jets were halted by the Pentagon after it was discovered that a banned Chinese alloy was used in one of the aircraft’s components. Earlier, in 2012, the Armed Forces Committee of the U.S. Senate discovered that the U.S. Army’s Stryker Mobile Gun had a number of parts that were counterfeit and manufactured in China.

This is also not the only time China has been involved in suspicious activity against the U.S. Just last year, authorities intercepted a Chinese spy balloon that flew all over the country. It has also recently come to light that Chinese firms have been buying up land close to military bases all over the country.