Chinese authorities are reportedly in possession of F-35 stealth fighter jet parts after they were “inexplicably diverted to Hong Kong.”
Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing sources, that shipping giant UPS was shipping cockpit canopies and armory doors from Australia to the United States in late May when they were diverted.
Officials said both parts were coated with a radar-absorbing material to enhance their stealth capabilities, and it was unclear why the shipment was diverted to Hong Kong.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles told reporters on Tuesday that Australia was aware of the shipment and was working with the United States and Lockheed Martin on how Canberra could assist in the investigation.
According to CNN, Marles also said it was his understanding that the lost package did not contain any sensitive parts.
Lockheed Martin, UPS and the Department of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment from CNBC.
The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and Washington controls sales of these aircraft only to its closest partners and allies.
For example, Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russia’s S-400 anti-aircraft system, which raised concerns that the Russian system would be used as an intelligence-gathering platform to learn about the aircraft’s capabilities.
China has targeted U.S. military data related to the F-35 in past espionage cases, according to U.S. prosecutors in 2024.
Last week, a $24 billion sale of the F-35 to Saudi Arabia was approved, but some members of Congress have already expressed concerns about the technology falling into Chinese hands.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) said U.S. intelligence agencies have warned that the sale “could put a treasure trove of American military technology within the reach of the Chinese Communist Party.”
Users of the jet include not only the United States but also Australia and Belgium, and countries such as Japan, Canada and Singapore have also ordered the jet.
The Pentagon said the F-35 was also used by the United States during the Iran conflict, where one aircraft was damaged by enemy fire.
