China has reportedly stolen top secret documents about the design information of Australia's latest Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35 Lighting II as it was allegedly disclosed by a former U.S. National Security Agency intelligence contractor identified as Edward Snowden.

The information was reportedly first disclosed to a German magazine called Der Spiegel. The Chinese cyber spies then stole a lot of documents that contained sensitive military information related to the said fighter jet.

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In the documents allegedly stolen, it includes details about the radar systems, the engine schematics, deck heating contour maps and methods for cooling exhaust gas. The Australian government has already been informed and is knowledgeable about the said cyber.

The reports about China stealing such information is the first ever public confirmation as it has been long suspected that the F-35 fighter jet has been the target of the Chinese.

According to other reports, last week when China has released its new fifth-generation fighters, including that of their first ever stealth fighter identified as the Chengdu J-20, they have surpassed the superiority of countries in the West when it comes to machines flying in the sky.

Critics noted that the Chengdu J-20 might be the most advanced fighter jet of China and that the Shenyang J-31 Falcon Hawk was said to have been influenced by the Australian jet fighter design that it almost has the same appearance as the F-35.

The data breach reportedly happened back in 2007 years before Australia got hold of the F-35. In 2013, Defense Department acquisitions chief Frank Kendall told during a US Senate hearing that the information related to the F-35 was well protected. In fact, in April of last year, Prime Minister Tony Abbott noted that Australia will be buying at least 58 F-35 fighter jets and will be spending US$12 billion for it.

Aside from the design information obtained by the Chinese, they also breached data about the B-2 stealth bomber, the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, military personnel records, although it was not specified, and the nuclear submarine. China is yet to respond to the said allegations. 

Tagscyber espionage, Australian fighter jet, F-35 Lightning II