However,initial work on the missile was begun by General Dynamics in 1967 as the Redeye II. It was accepted for further development by the U.S. Army in 1971 and designated FIM-92; the Stinger appellation was chosen in 1972.Because of technical difficulties that dogged testing, the first shoulder launch was not until mid-1975.
Yup, and it wasn’t issued to ANYONE until 1981. So, how exactly would they steal the tech and get it issued before the US did?
The SA-14 is a clear outgrowth of the earlier SA-7. It doesn’t resemble the Stinger or the Redeye at all.