Honeywell fined US$13 million for sharing military specs with China
- Defence contractor settles on 34 charges related to 71 drawings it shared with Beijing, Taiwan, Canada and Ireland between 2011 and 2015
- Documents included specifications of parts for the F-35 and F-22 jet fighters and B-1B Lancer long-range strategic bomber
“The US government reviewed copies of the 71 drawings and determined that exports to and retransfers in the PRC [People’s Republic of China] of drawings for certain parts and components for the engine platforms for the F-35 joint strike fighter, B-1B Lancer long-range strategic bomber and F-22 fighter aircraft harmed US national security,” the charging document said.
The State Department said it would not debar Honeywell because it voluntarily disclosed its alleged violations.
Honeywell said it “inadvertently shared” the technology during “normal business discussions” but “no detailed manufacturing or engineering expertise was shared”.
“Since Honeywell voluntarily self-reported these disclosures, we have taken several actions to ensure there are no repeat incidents,” the State Department said. “These actions included enhancing export security, investing in additional compliance personnel and increasing compliance training.”
The settlement showed “the department’s role in strengthening US industry by protecting US-origin defence articles, including technical data, from unauthorised exports” and highlighted the “importance of obtaining appropriate authorisation from the department for exporting controlled articles”, it said.
Taiwan vows to defend itself after Yoshihide Suga qualifies Japan’s stance
The company has been expanding its presence in China. In 2003, it moved its Asia-Pacific headquarters from Singapore to Shanghai, and in 2017 paid US$100 million for the land on which the property was built.
In February, Honeywell was awarded a contract with Chinese firm Sepco Electric Power Construction Corp to supply telecommunications and security systems for the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services, a shipyard in Saudi Arabia.
