Well, in that case the US has a strong argument to stop contracts being fulfilled by Chineses companies... but they will have to pay extra for that. In difficult times, maybe the budget constraints is too big to listen to conspiracy theories.
@pocharle, Counterfeiting is not widespread in aviation or anywhere else but it's no comfort. You only need one failed component to have a major calamity. Companies in the electronics industry are committed to fighting the problem but this is not enough. A more concerted effort is needed.
With some of the industries that you mentioned, is the distribution of the counterfeit goods widespread. Like, for example, aviation. I cannot fathom that Delta, for example, would buy goods from untrusted manufacturers. Don't suppliers/vendors have to gain some type of certification prior to selling goods?
@pocharle, I realize the military is important but counterfeiting at any level can be extremely dangerous. In the medical industry, for instance, fake drugs, sub-par equipment and any other forms of counterfeiting can be as deadly as a weapons system with the wrong or faulty components. The story about the military grabs the headlines, however, counterfeiters are as active in other critical parts of the economy too. For instance, they are involved in aviation, industrial, home goods, etc. Counterfeiting is a danger to everyone.
Anything related to the military should always be protected with accuracy and reliability. But I come across many reports citing China's involvement in many hacking plots and information espionage. So what I would recommend the US do is disallow (at least): any products made in China should not be included in military hardware. Whether this is a realistic goal is another point but it's a starting point.
@Mr. Roques - The are separate but the fear is that they have and will overlap. There was a rumored case a few years ago of communciations equipment used by the US Navy that provided access to unauthorized (potential enemy) sources. There's the potential to embed viruses, and malwear in software and programable devices that can bring down systems. This is suspected as the cause of problems reported in computers used at the Iranian Nuclear site. There was also a report recently that the US Air Force's drone operations were hit by a virus. So the threat is real.
Good point on the replacemen parts. The design and testing for military hardware has had such a long cycle time that some components become obsolete during production phases. There is often the chance to make a 'last time buy' purchase, but repairs may be needed much further dowm the road.
It's hard to compare Japan to CHINA. Japan didn't want to control all the manufacturing in the world, them just want there fair share. When various free country's talk about loss of job's it's because CHINA has taken all the low pay, manufacturing job's out of there country. When a country wants to expand manufacturing in CHINA, they say NO, only if they switch manufacuring to CHINA.
Do you all know that CELESTICA Canada is a Qualified Military CM owned by CHINA!!!! When will FOXCONN take over CELESTICA?
For now China actions against conterfeit prducts will still be very limited because it is how chinese are learning new technologies. They copy to gain the knowledge to become more competitive. That is what the Japanese used to do in post wars periods (part of the second period of the 20th Century) until they become a well established industrial country and are able to offer competitive products. China will come to that, but we will have to wait.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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