The Pentagon is investigating how F-35 components reached Hong Kong; Bloomberg reports China has them. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles denied they were sensitive equipment, and the F-35 program office says it is working to retrieve them.
Bloomberg reported the parts were a cockpit canopy and a weapons-bay door, in a shipment diverted months ago while traveling from Australia to the United States for repair or disposal. How it was diverted is unclear. Politico earlier reported the episode prompted a congressional inquiry over concerns that China could access classified F-35 technology.
The F-35 Joint Program Office said it and the Defense Department were working with U.S. authorities and industry partners to investigate the incident and put safeguards in place to prevent a recurrence. Marles said the matter would be managed by the United States and Lockheed Martin; Lockheed had not immediately responded to a request for comment Wednesday.
