Pentagon Seeks Return of F-35 Jet Parts Seized by China
U.S. officials are actively working to retrieve components of an F-35 fighter jet that were diverted to Hong Kong and seized by the Chinese government.
The Pentagon is actively working to recover parts of an F-35 fighter jet that were seized by the Chinese government after a shipment bound for the U.S. was diverted to Hong Kong in May. The incident has raised concerns within the U.S. defense establishment about the potential for China to gain insights into the highly classified technology of the stealth aircraft.
The F-35 Joint Program Office and the Department of Defense are aware of the shipment issue involving unserviceable F-35 Lightning II components, according to a Pentagon statement. "We are actively working with US authorities and industry partners to retrieve these components, investigate the incident, and place safeguards to avoid a future occurrence," the statement read.
Reports indicate that the seized components include a cockpit canopy and a weapons-bay door, both of which are coated with radar-absorbing material. These parts belonged to an Australian military F-35 and were being shipped via UPS from Australia to the U.S. for inspection, repair, or disposal. The aircraft carrying the components made a stop in South Korea before being routed to Hong Kong, where Chinese authorities took possession of the parts, manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
It remains unclear whether the diversion to Hong Kong was intentional or accidental. The emergence of these reports coincided with Chinese President Xi Jinping's arrival in Washington for a state visit, a timing noted by some U.S. officials. Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, commented on the juxtaposition, stating that China is a competitor and adversary that constantly seeks information about U.S. military equipment.
