US investigating how sensitive F-35 parts diverted to Hong Kong ended up in China's hands - report

China has taken possession of potentially sensitive components from an F-35 stealth fighter after the parts were diverted to Hong Kong while being shipped from Australia to the US, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.

The shipment, transported by UPS for inspection and possible repair or disposal, included an F-35 cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door, according to people familiar with the incident.

The components are coated with radar-absorbing material designed to enhance the fighter’s stealth capabilities, the report said.

The shipment was initially traveling from Australia to the US but stopped in South Korea before being rerouted to Hong Kong. It remains unclear whether the diversion was intentional or due to an error.

Chinese authorities later took possession of the parts and have not returned them, according to people briefed on the matter. A Chinese Embassy spokesperson declined to comment immediately, while China’s Foreign Ministry said it was “not aware of the situation.”

Congressional committees investigate diverted F-35 parts

At least two congressional committees are investigating the incident, including the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The Senate Armed Services airland subcommittee is also reviewing the matter.

The disclosure came as Chinese President Xi Jinping was visiting the US for a state visit hosted by President Donald Trump, drawing attention from lawmakers concerned about the protection of sensitive military technology.

“The juxtaposition is hard to miss,” Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said on Bloomberg Television’s Balance of Power. “The Chinese are holding some of our most sensitive technology, and we are rolling out the red carpet for their president.”

Slotkin said she had not received a briefing on the incident but warned that China has long sought information about US military capabilities.

“When it comes to intelligence and military issues, China is a competitor and an adversary. They are always seeking information about our military equipment, sensitive information,” she said.

China’s history of targeting F-35 technology raises concerns

China has previously been accused of attempting to obtain information about the F-35 program. Concerns over protecting the aircraft’s technology were among the factors cited in the collapse of a proposed US sale of F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates during Trump’s first term.

Congress has also raised concerns over potential F-35 sales to Saudi Arabia, citing risks related to protecting advanced US military technology.

The Pentagon said it was working to recover the parts and investigate the incident.

“Officials are aware of a shipment issue of unserviceable F-35 components. 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,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

A Lockheed Martin spokesperson in Australia said the components were “unserviceable and deemed low risk for exploitation.”

UPS reported the incident to the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, which oversees enforcement of US export control laws. UPS spokesperson Malcolm Berkley declined to comment.