WASHINGTON — The Pentagon and US lawmakers are investigating how a shipment of F-35 Lightning II components being sent from Australia to the United States for repairs was diverted to Hong Kong, raising concerns that sensitive technology from the advanced stealth fighter could potentially become accessible to China.
The shipment, which was being transported by an intermediary on behalf of F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin, was rerouted while crossing the Pacific, according to people familiar with the matter cited in reports by Politico. The Pentagon has confirmed that there was a problem involving a shipment of unserviceable F-35 components and that efforts are under way to recover the equipment.
Among the components was reportedly an F-35 cockpit canopy. The canopy is more than a transparent cover: it incorporates materials associated with the aircraft’s low-observable, or stealth, characteristics. Physical access to such a component could potentially provide information about aspects of the aircraft’s stealth design and manufacturing.
However, there is no public evidence that Chinese authorities or the Chinese military have obtained or examined the missing components. Their reported arrival in Hong Kong has nevertheless heightened concerns in Washington because Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. The current location and custody of the parts remain unclear.
The incident has also prompted congressional scrutiny. Pentagon and State Department officials began briefing staff of key congressional national-security committees in June, with further briefings expected as the investigation continues. Officials are examining how the shipment was diverted and whether additional safeguards are needed to prevent similar incidents.
The F-35 program relies on a multinational network for the maintenance, repair and movement of aircraft components. The incident has therefore drawn attention to the security of the program’s international logistics and supply-chain arrangements.
The Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Program Office said it was working with US authorities and industry partners to recover the components, investigate the circumstances surrounding the shipment and establish measures to prevent a recurrence.
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