Australia’s F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong, Probe Launched

Two F-35 components from an Australian jet were diverted to Hong Kong after being shipped to the United States, raising security concerns in Washington and Canberra. The parts, a cockpit canopy and a weapons-bay door, were sent by UPS in late May for inspection and possible repair or disposal, Bloomberg reported. The plane stopped in South Korea and was then routed to Hong Kong, where Chinese authorities took possession of the cargo. It is unclear why the shipment was diverted. The F-35 Joint Program Office acknowledged a shipment issue and said it was working to retrieve the components. The Pentagon said it was cooperating with U.S. authorities and industry partners to investigate and prevent a repeat. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia was working with the United States and Lockheed Martin on the inquiry. He said his understanding was that the parts were not sensitive equipment. Bloomberg’s sources said both parts carried radar-absorbing material linked to the jet’s stealth design. The case is being examined by a joint U.S.-Australia probe.
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