Defence minister says components not ‘sensitive’ as investigation continues with US and Lockheed Martin amid China security concerns.
Australia has confirmed that a shipment of F-35 fighter jet parts was unexpectedly diverted to Hong Kong after leaving the country earlier this year, sparking an investigation into how components from the highly classified US stealth aircraft programme ended up in a Chinese special administrative region.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Tuesday that Canberra is working closely with the United States and F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin to examine what happened. “We are examining very much everything that has occurred at the Australian end,” Marles told reporters. He added that his “understanding” is that the parts were not “sensitive equipment.”
The shipment, handled by a third-party intermediary on behalf of Lockheed Martin, was bound for the United States for repairs when it was rerouted while crossing the Pacific. Its last known location was Hong Kong. The components remain unaccounted for months later.
F-35 Parts Incident Triggers Investigation:
According to a report by Politico, the consignment included at least one F-35 canopy-the cockpit cover that incorporates radar-absorbent materials critical to the jet’s stealth capabilities. The canopy’s coating is considered advanced technology shared only among the US and its closest allies. Australian officials and the Pentagon have described the parts as “unserviceable,” meaning they were damaged or worn and required specialist repair unavailable in Australia.
The US Department of Defense’s F-35 Joint Program Office confirmed awareness of the “shipment issue of unserviceable F-35 Lightning II components.” It said it is working with US authorities and industry partners “to retrieve these components, investigate the incident, and place safeguards to avoid a future occurrence.” Lockheed Martin stated that the missing items are “deemed low risk for exploitation” and that the company has complied with all export-control regulations.
The incident has raised questions in Washington about supply-chain security for the F-35 programme, the most expensive weapons system in US history and a cornerstone of allied air power. Australia operates a fleet of 72 F-35A jets and hosts regional maintenance facilities, but lacks the capacity to repair certain specialised components such as canopies, which must be returned to the United States.
Australia Investigates F-35 Parts Diversion:
The diversion has fuelled concern among some US lawmakers and security analysts that China could have gained access to sensitive technology. Hong Kong, while operating under a “one country, two systems” framework, falls under Chinese sovereignty, and Beijing has long sought to reverse-engineer advanced Western military systems. Chinese intelligence agencies have previously targeted the F-35 programme through cyber and human intelligence efforts.
Marles sought to play down the security implications, expressing confidence in Australia’s handling of the programme. He emphasised that ultimate responsibility for managing the global F-35 supply chain rests with the United States and Lockheed Martin. Congressional staff in Washington have received multiple briefings on the matter since June.
The episode highlights vulnerabilities in the complex international logistics network that supports the F-35, which involves dozens of partner nations and commercial contractors. It also comes at a time of heightened strategic rivalry between the US and China, with both sides closely monitoring military technology transfers and supply-chain risks in the Indo-Pacific.