US probes disappearance of Australian F-35A parts in Hong Kong
A US investigation is examining how components of a Royal Australian Air Force F-35A went missing in Hong Kong over the summer, while Australia's defence minister says the equipment is not sensitive.
The US is investigating the loss of components from a Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35A in Hong Kong. Politico first reported the incident, which dates to this summer.
The Joint Program Office for the F-35A confirmed to US media that a probe has been opened. Its scope has not been made public. Australia has received 72 F-35As through the Foreign Military Sales system.
Australian defence minister Richard Marles played down the nature of the missing equipment on 22 September. He said he understood there was a degree of reassurance about the matter, that the parts were not sensitive, and that the US and Lockheed would manage what happened.
An exact inventory of the components has not been released. Politico reported it included a canopy.
US officials are examining the case, and Marles described the parts as non-sensitive. No findings have been announced.
Sources
- flightglobal.comInvestigation into F-35A parts missing in Hong Kong gets underway