China Takes Possession of F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong

The Chinese government has taken possession of potentially sensitive F-35 stealth aircraft components that were diverted to Hong Kong while being shipped from Australia to the United States, Bloomberg News reported.

An F-35A Lightning II fighter jet. Potentially sensitive components from an Australian F-35 were diverted to Hong Kong while being shipped to the United States.

UPS was transporting a cockpit canopy and a weapons-bay door from an Australian military F-35 to the United States for inspection and possible repair or disposal in late May, according to people briefed on the incident.

Both components were supplied by Lockheed Martin and were reportedly coated with radar-absorbing material that enhances the aircraft's stealth capabilities.

The shipment stopped in South Korea before being routed to Hong Kong.

It remains unclear why the shipment was diverted or whether the redirection was intentional.

Chinese authorities subsequently took possession of the components and have not returned them, according to Bloomberg's sources.

The US Department of War and the F-35 Joint Program Office said they were aware of a shipment involving unserviceable F-35 components and were working with US authorities and industry partners to recover the parts, investigate the incident and strengthen safeguards.

The incident is being investigated by Australian and US authorities. Australian officials have also said they are examining how the components were diverted to Hong Kong.