According to Reuters, U.S. intelligence agencies accused Chinese hackers of gaining illicit access to computer systems of army, which allowed them to copy data on major weapons designs.
U.S. Department of Defense report states that hackers could get descriptions and drawings of modern military aircraft and ships, as well as missile defense systems developed by not only the United States Army, but also by a number of the armies of Europe, Asia and the Persian Gulf. The exact dates of cyber attacks were not mentioned.
“Among the weapons listed in the report were the advanced Patriot missile system, the Navy's Aegis ballistic missile defense systems, the F/A-18 fighter jet, the V-22 Osprey, the Black Hawk helicopter and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter,” as pointed by Reuters.
In a report to Congress, the Pentagon said China was using espionage to modernize its military. Moreover, it stated that the U.S. government was the target of hacking that appeared to be “attributable directory to the Chinese government and military.” China dismissed the report as groundless.