Key facts
- Australia is investigating the diversion of F-35 fighter jet parts to Hong Kong.
- The parts were bound for the US from Australia.
- Richard Marles stated the parts were not sensitive.
- The components remain unaccounted for months after their diversion.
- Concerns exist that Chinese adversaries could reverse-engineer or exploit F-35 technology.
- Australia is an early development partner in the F-35 program.
Australia's Department of Defence is investigating how components for F-35 fighter jets, destined for the United States, were diverted to Hong Kong. Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles confirmed the review, stating that while "very much everything that has occurred at the Australian end" would be examined, the parts themselves were not considered "sensitive".
The components, transported by a third party on behalf of manufacturer Lockheed Martin, have been missing for months following their unplanned stop in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China. This diversion has raised concerns that sensitive F-35 technology, including stealth capabilities reportedly found in canopies, could be compromised. Michael Shoebridge, a director at Strategic Analysis Australia, described the diversion as "incredibly ineptitude and stupidity," suggesting it presented an opportunity for China or other adversaries to reverse-engineer the technology or develop methods to attack the aircraft.
Australia is a key development partner in the F-35 program, with over 70 Australian companies holding contracts valued at more than A$5.2 billion as of September 2025. More than 700 critical F-35 pieces are manufactured in Victoria alone, and Australia hosts a regional distribution hub for parts in New South Wales. Shoebridge warned that the missing shipment could render the entire multibillion-dollar F-35 fleet vulnerable to adversaries, impacting all operators of the aircraft.