Australia today defended its security protocols after news that spare parts of the F-35 U.S. fighter aircraft, manufactured near Sydney and destined for the United States, have ended up in Hong Kong.
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21/09/2026
by
Lusa
F-35
“The Australian Government takes the protection of classified and subject to export controls very seriously,” said an Australian defence force spokesman in a statement.
The means of communication Politico reported that a cargo of spare parts from the F-35 was diverted to Hong Kong after leaving Australia, raising fears that China might have had access to the weapons system.
The cargo included a dome with a special coating to cover the flight deck whose technology enables the radar signature to be reduced, according to the French agency AFP.
Politico stated that it is unknown why the material was diverted to the Chinese region and who currently holds it.
The manufacturer Lockheed Martin told the media that he could not make declarations on exports for safety reasons.
Australia has 72 F-35 aircraft and is part of the seven countries outside the United States that share a global inventory of spare parts.
The list also includes Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom.
Twelve other countries bought F-35, including Japan, Singapore and South Korea.