Businesswoman Liang Xiuwen, 34, pleaded guilty in 2003 to conspiring to export defence items and attempted unlawful export. Her husband, Zhuang Jinghua, 35, pleaded guilty to the same charges and is serving his two and a half year sentence imposed in December 2003.

The couple are among four entrepreneurs who two years ago denied charges of exporting or plotting to illegally ship missile and fighter jet parts to China from the United States.

The four -- including two people of Chinese origin -- and their firms are accused of illegally shipping parts of sensitive weapons, including for surface-to-air missiles and fighter aircraft.

They were indicted in March 2003 following a five-year undercover investigation led by the US Customs Service which authorities said had intercepted the parts before they reached their destinations.

At Monday's sentencing, Liang's attorney asked that she be sentenced only to probation.

But US District Judge Stephen Wilson said Liang deserved the 30-month sentence recommended in her plea agreement "and perhaps more.

"She potentially jeopardized the security of this country," Wilson said.

Assistant US federal prosecutor Mary Andrues said during Zhuang's sentencing that it was Liang who acquired the parts, while her husband acted as a salesperson.

Liang, who is free on bail, must surrender next month to begin her sentence. She will face deportation after the jail term, her attorney said.

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