China keeps in its possession potentially sensitive components of an F-35 stealth fighter, diverted to Hong Kong when they were transported from Australia to the United States, today reported Bloomberg.
© Lusa
24/09/2026
by
Lusa
At the end of May, UPS carried a cabin cover and a door to the armament compartment of an F-35 from the Australian armed forces to the United States, where they would be inspected and eventually repaired or eliminated, today reported the financial agency.
The parts, provided by Lockheed Martin, were coated with radar absorbent material, used to strengthen the stealth capabilities of the device, according to sources familiar with the incident, cited by Bloomberg.
The shipment stopped in South Korea and was subsequently referred, “without explanation”, to Hong Kong, not knowing until now whether the diversion was accidental or deliberate.
The Chinese authorities subsequently took possession of the pieces and have not yet returned them, according to Bloomberg, which added that at least two commissions of the US Congress are investigating how the components end up in Chinese hands.
The Pentagon said it was working with other departments of the U.S. Government to recover the components, investigate the incident and take measures to prevent a similar case from being repeated.
The news is released when Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Washington to meet with American counterpart Donald Trump on a visit aimed at reducing trade, technological and geopolitical tensions between the two powers.
Made by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 is one of the most advanced fighters in the United States.