2 hrs ago
F-35 Components Diverted to Hong Kong Prompt Pentagon Inquiry
Some parts from an F-35 fighter jet were being sent from Australia to the United States for repairs.
During the trip, the shipment was redirected to Hong Kong.
Officials do not yet know why this happened or who has the parts now.
One reportedly missing item was the jet’s canopy, which includes technology that helps make the aircraft harder to detect by radar.
Experts worry that studying the parts could help China understand the F-35 better.
However, the articles do not say that China obtained or currently controls the equipment.
The Pentagon and the F-35 program office are investigating and trying to recover the parts.
Congress has been briefed about the incident.
The case also renewed concerns about how the F-35 program tracks spare parts around the world.
Sensitive F-35 components shipped from Australia to the United States for repairs were diverted to Hong Kong while crossing the Pacific.
The Pentagon confirmed that some unserviceable F-35 components went missing, but the reason for the diversion and current custody remain unclear.
A missing component was reportedly an F-35 canopy containing stealth technology that could reveal details about the aircraft’s radar-reducing design.
Congressional staff received briefings from State Department and Pentagon officials, with additional briefings expected.
The incident has highlighted existing concerns about F-35 spare-parts tracking, maintenance costs and the program’s complex international supply chain.
- Who
- The Pentagon, the F-35 Joint Program Office, Lockheed Martin, congressional staff and other U.S. officials are involved in responding to the missing shipment; China is cited as a potential security concern.
- What
- Sensitive, unserviceable F-35 components were diverted to Hong Kong during shipment, prompting an investigation and recovery effort.
- Where
- The parts were shipped from Australia toward the United States and were diverted while crossing the Pacific, eventually appearing in Hong Kong.
- When
- The diversion occurred during the summer; congressional staff were first briefed in June, with further briefings expected.
- Why
- The reason for the diversion is unknown, but officials are concerned that access to F-35 components could expose sensitive stealth technology.
Security and Accountability Concerns
Uncertainty and Official Response
Potential access to stealth technology
Security and Accountability Concerns
Experts and officials are concerned that an actual F-35 canopy or other component could help China study, verify or refine information about the aircraft’s technology.
Uncertainty and Official Response
The articles do not establish that China obtained the parts or that Chinese officials currently possess them; the Chinese Embassy said it was not familiar with the incident.
Meaning of the diversion
Security and Accountability Concerns
The unexpected rerouting to Hong Kong is being treated as a potential national-security problem and has prompted congressional scrutiny.
Uncertainty and Official Response
The reason for the diversion remains unknown, and the Pentagon and F-35 Joint Program Office are investigating rather than publicly assigning responsibility.
Supply-chain management
Security and Accountability Concerns
The incident adds to concerns about the F-35 program’s global logistics system, including a reported inability to account for large numbers of spare parts.
Uncertainty and Official Response
Lockheed Martin said it follows U.S. transport regulations and uses safeguards to protect the program and allied countries, while the F-35 office said it is introducing additional safeguards.
Key facts
- Aircraft program
- F-35 Lightning II
- Reported missing component
- An F-35 canopy, according to people familiar with the shipment
- Shipment route
- Australia to the United States, with the shipment diverted to Hong Kong
- Investigation
- The F-35 Joint Program Office is working with U.S. authorities and industry partners to recover the parts and determine what happened
- Congressional response
- Staff on key national security committees received briefings from State Department and Pentagon officials
- Supply-chain finding
- A 2023 Government Accountability Office report said more than one million F-35 spare parts had gone missing over five years
- Program concerns
- The articles cite spare-parts shortages, rising sustainment costs and performance goals that were not fully met
Quotes
J.J. Gertler
Former House Armed Services Committee staff member and Congressional Research Service military aviation analyst
“It’s no secret that China has been aggressively trying to get F-35 data through electronic espionage, among other means.”
wionews.com
Government Accountability Office
U.S. government watchdog agency reporting on F-35 spare-parts records
“The prime contractors maintain this information.”
wionews.com
Sources
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