Media: Australian F-35 parts bound for US diverted to Hong Kong

China has taken possession of potentially sensitive components from an Australian F-35 fighter jet after the parts were inexplicably diverted to Hong Kong while being shipped to the United States, people familiar with the incident said, as quoted by the Financial Review.

UPS was transporting a cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door from an Australian military F-35 to the US in late May for inspection and possible repair or disposal, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because they were discussing private matters. Both Lockheed Martin-supplied components were coated with radar-absorbing material designed to enhance the aircraft's stealth capabilities, two of the people said.

The shipment stopped in South Korea before being routed to Hong Kong, one person said. It remains unclear why the shipment stopped in South Korea, why it was diverted to Hong Kong, or whether the diversion was deliberate or accidental.

The Chinese government subsequently took possession of the components and has not returned them, two people said. A Chinese embassy spokesman did not immediately comment.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said Tuesday that the government was examining “everything that has occurred at the Australian end”.

“The point I would make here is that we are confident about the way in which we’ve engaged with the program, and through the US prime contractor, Lockheed,” he said.

The Pentagon said it was aware of “a shipment issue of unserviceable F-35 components” and was working to recover the parts.

“We are actively working with US authorities and industry partners to retrieve these components, investigate the incident, and place safeguards to avoid a future occurrence.”

At least two congressional committees — the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Armed Services Committee — are reviewing the incident. A Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on June 23 also addressed the matter, with Defence Department officials expressing hope that the components would be returned.

The F-35 is among the world's most advanced fighter aircraft, with about 20 countries operating or having purchased it, including Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. China has targeted the aircraft in espionage efforts for years, and concerns over technology exposure have previously complicated proposed F-35 sales.

“It’s always best when your adversaries have to guess at your capabilities,” said J.J. Gertler, a former Congressional Research Service aviation analyst. “You never want to hand them evidence.”

UPS reported the incident to the US State Department's Directorate of Defence Trade Controls as a precaution. Lockheed Martin said the Defence Department determines transportation arrangements and that it was working with the carrier on measures to prevent a recurrence.

By Tamilla Hasanova