The incident, first reported by Bloomberg and confirmed by multiple sources, involves components from an Australian F-35 stealth fighter that were being returned to Lockheed Martin in the United States for inspection, possible repair, or disposal.
Timeline of events
- Late May 2026: Australia dispatches the cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door to the US via air cargo.
- The shipment makes an unscheduled stop in South Korea for reasons that remain unclear.
- The consignment is then "inexplicably" rerouted through Hong Kong, where Chinese authorities take possession.
- China has not returned or released the parts. The Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing says it is unaware of the missing components.
UPS disclosed the incident to US authorities but has made no further comment. Australia says it is closely examining the chain of events leading to the loss but appears confident that its return process was not at fault.
Sensitivity of the parts
The components are coated with radar-absorbing material that enhances stealth capabilities. The proprietary formula of this coating is considered potentially more sensitive than the physical parts themselves. China has long targeted espionage efforts against the F-35 program, seeking to learn as much as possible about one of the world's most advanced fighter jets.
Official responses
The Pentagon stated it is working to retrieve the "unserviceable F-35 components" and that an investigation into the incident will lead to a process review to prevent future security breaches. Lockheed Martin echoed the Pentagon's description of the parts as unserviceable and downplayed the risk of exploitation, while noting it uses government-mandated secure carriers.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the United States on the evening of September 23 for a state visit hosted by President Donald Trump. The two leaders are expected to have extensive discussions, though it is unclear whether this incident will be raised.