Biden hired military contractor that works for China military
The Biden administration awarded a lucrative defense contract to a Singaporean company that works with Chinese military firms.
On April 6, Singapore-based ST Engineering won a contract alongside defense contractor BAE Systems to build a prototype military ground vehicle for use in Arctic environments. One of ST Engineering's direct subsidiaries does business with the Chinese military industry, ultimately providing maritime and satellite technology to Chinese authorities. The use of a defense company that collaborates with China raises concerns about industrial espionage and could expose vulnerabilities in the Pentagon, one expert on military acquisition said.
Mark Vandroff, a former Navy officer and member of the Trump administration's National Security Council, told the Washington Free Beacon the contract could pose an "attractive" way for Beijing to gain inside knowledge on valuable national security technology.
"My big worry is from a cyber and counterintelligence perspective," Vandroff said. "I would worry not only that any collaboration gets back to China, but that [it] also becomes an attractive cyber pathway for [People's Republic of China] exploitation."
ST Engineering oversees iDirect, a technology company servicing the Pentagon while developing technology for China. iDirect is a major partner in satellite communications with PetroChina, the Beijing-backed energy company with ties to the Chinese military. Satellite systems also designed by iDirect are equipped by China for maritime law enforcement. In 2018, ST Engineering also worked with the Chinese car company BYD Auto to develop AI forklifts, and again in 2019 for autonomous buses, technologies that could have defense applications.
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This looks like a bad idea that will give China insight into US technology. Does anyone think the Chicoms are going to be sharing their technology with the US?
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