Rerouted F-35 Parts Raise Fears of China Access

A shipment of parts intended for repair in the United States was unexpectedly rerouted to Hong Kong while in transit from Australia. Congress is investigating the incident, which has raised concerns that China may have gained access to classified military technology.

The components included a cockpit canopy with elements of stealth technology. Its transparent layer absorbs radar waves, which helps conceal the aircraft from enemy radar.

It is unclear why the shipment changed course or who currently controls it.

The Pentagon has confirmed the problem with the shipment of non-functional parts. The F-35 Joint Program Office is working with US authorities and industry partners to recover the parts, investigate the incident and implement protective measures. Authorities began informing congressional staff as early as June.

The manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, uses commercial carriers for transport. It declined to comment on details but says it complies with US regulations.

China has previously attempted to obtain information about the F-35 program through espionage. According to an expert, a physical component would allow China to verify or refine its existing knowledge.

In 2023, a US audit agency found that more than one million F-35 spare parts had gone missing over a five-year period. The Pentagon does not track them separately, with the data managed by the main contractors. The program's total cost is approaching $2tn.

(Politico, bak)