Chinese authorities reportedly took possession of F-35 Lightning II components after a shipment carrying parts from an Australian aircraft was diverted to Hong Kong while en route to the United States for maintenance. The shipment, transported by UPS for Lockheed Martin, reportedly contained a cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door from an Australian Defence Force F-35. The package made an unexpected stop in South Korea before being redirected to Hong Kong, where Chinese officials seized the components. US officials reportedly confirmed that both parts contained classified radar-absorbing coatings. The incident has prompted inquiries by at least two congressional committees into the security arrangements surrounding the transportation of sensitive military hardware. The Pentagon said it was working with US authorities and industry partners to recover the components, investigate the incident, and introduce safeguards against similar events. Lockheed Martin characterized the parts as unserviceable and low risk for exploitation, while analysts cited by media reports raised concerns about the potential sensitivity of stealth-related materials. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said Canberra was investigating the logistics chain and noted that Lockheed Martin manages global transportation under US-mandated arrangements. The episode has also emerged amid wider congressional scrutiny of security considerations surrounding proposed F-35 exports to Middle Eastern partners.
