24th September 2026 – (Hong Kong) An Australian shipment of sensitive F‑35 fighter parts that was originally bound for the United States was diverted to Hong Kong and subsequently taken over by Chinese authorities, according to reports published on Wednesday, 23rd September. People familiar with the matter said United Parcel Service handled the transport of a cockpit canopy and weapons bay doors from an Australian F‑35 sent to the United States in late May for inspection, repair or disposal. The components, supplied by Lockheed Martin and coated with radar‑absorbent material to enhance stealth, paused in South Korea before moving on to Hong Kong, where control was reportedly assumed by the Chinese government. It remains unclear why the consignment stopped in South Korea or how it was redirected to Hong Kong, and whether the diversion was intentional or a mis‑shipment.
Officials at the Pentagon said they were aware of a transport issue involving an unusable batch of F‑35 components and were working with United States authorities and industry partners to recover the items and investigate, alongside immediate security measures to prevent a recurrence. UPS has notified the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls at the United States Department of State, which oversees export‑control compliance. Lockheed Martin said the Pentagon determined the shipping solution and that the company used a carrier meeting government requirements.
The United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on Armed Services are examining the case, with the latter confirming receipt of multiple briefings. A person with knowledge of the process said the Senate Committee on Armed Services held a closed hearing on 23rd June, during which Defence Department officials expressed a desire for the parts to be returned.