F-35 spare parts diverted to Hong Kong; US and Australian investigations opened
Spare parts for the F-35 fighter jet were reportedly shipped from Australia to Hong Kong instead of the United States, prompting inquiries on Capitol Hill and in Australia's Department of Defence over possible Chinese access to classified components.
F-35 spare parts were reportedly shipped from Australia to Hong Kong instead of to their intended destination in the United States, according to accounts that triggered inquiries on Capitol Hill and in the Australian Department of Defence.
An intermediary company that moves F-35 spares for manufacturer Lockheed Martin carried the components. The Pentagon has said some of the parts are missing and that it is unclear why they went to Hong Kong or who holds them now.
In June, the matter led to briefings for congressional staff on national security committees, amid concern about possible Chinese access to the components. The F-35 Joint Program Office said it knew of a shipment issue involving unserviceable F-35 Lightning II components and is working with U.S. authorities and industry partners to retrieve them, investigate, and add safeguards against a repeat.
Lockheed Martin said it could not discuss shipment status for security reasons, and that its teams handle every shipment with safeguards meant to protect the integrity of the F-35 program.
Sources
- theaviationist.comF-35 Spare Parts Diverted to Hong Kong, Prompting U.S. and Australian Investigations