Counterfeit Chinese goods now threaten US military
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The problem of fake goods from China has spread beyond the dodgy Gucci and Rolex shops of Manhattan and into the bloodstream of the American military, according to a new report.
A year-long inquiry by the Senate Armed Services Committee has found that hardware used by American personnel is riddled with counterfeit electronic parts most of which can be sourced back to China. It discovered 1,800 cases of fake components in everything from helicopters to night-vision goggles. The report said 70 per cent of suspect parts were traced to China, though the UK and Canada were also identified as source countries. The authors criticised China not just for failing to police its electronics industry properly but also for impeding the committee's work by withholding visas from its researchers.
While the report did not identify any incidents where a fake component had caused actual operational difficulties, it stressed that the risk exists. It highlighted finding counterfeit parts in three naval aircraft.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments