From the Guardian · · 2m
Australia probes missing F-35 parts diverted to Hong Kong
Fighter jet components bound for the US were unexpectedly rerouted through Hong Kong and remain unaccounted for, raising fears about exposure to Chinese adversaries.
In brief
Fighter jet components bound for the US were unexpectedly rerouted through Hong Kong and remain unaccounted for, raising fears about exposure to Chinese adversaries. Australia is investigating how F-35 fighter jet parts bound for the US were diverted to Hong Kong and remain missing months later, amid concerns China…
Fighter jet parts diverted to Hong Kong
F-35 fighter jet components bound for the US from Australia were unexpectedly diverted to Hong Kong and remain unaccounted for months later, acting prime minister Richard Marles said.
Marles says parts not sensitive
Marles said the Department of Defence would review everything that occurred at the Australian end, but claimed the technology parts were not sensitive, as first reported by Politico.
Lockheed Martin transported via unknown third party
The parts were being transported by an unknown third party on behalf of manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The US Department of War and F-35 Joint Program Office confirmed awareness of the shipment issue.
Canopy with stealth technology reportedly in shipment
Politico reported sources said the sensitive shipment contained one of the jet's canopies, which reportedly contains stealth technology, raising concern that program secrets could have been exposed.
Shoebridge calls diversion act of stupidity
Michael Shoebridge, a director for Strategic Analysis Australia who worked in intelligence agencies, said the shipment's stop in Hong Kong was an act of incredible ineptitude and stupidity that gave China an unexpected opportunity.
“This is an act of incredible ineptitude and stupidity, and so it's more the Chinese taking advantage of an incredible stroke of luck brought to them by the stupidity of the people involved.”
Australia's major role in F-35 program
Australia was an early development partner in the F-35. More than 70 Australian companies have production contracts. In excess of 700 critical pieces are manufactured in Victoria alone. Australian companies have been awarded contracts valued at over five point two billion dollars as of September 2025.
Missing parts could compromise entire fleet
Shoebridge said the missing shipment could mean the whole multibillion-dollar fleet is vulnerable to adversaries. Every operator of the F-35 program now has an interest in understanding what happened and what was potentially exposed.
“They're all now carrying the risk of whatever vulnerabilities this has brought to the aircraft.”
The essence
Australia is investigating how F-35 fighter jet parts bound for the US were diverted to Hong Kong and remain missing months later, amid concerns China could access stealth technology secrets.
