Key facts
- Unserviceable F-35 fighter jet components were diverted to Hong Kong.
- One of the diverted parts was a canopy containing stealth technology.
- US congressional committees are investigating the incident.
- Officials are working to retrieve the components and implement safeguards.
US congressional committees are investigating an incident involving the diversion of unserviceable F-35 fighter jet components to Hong Kong, a region under China's influence. The shipment, which included a canopy containing sensitive stealth technology, triggered a series of briefings for national security committees starting in June. Officials from the State Department and Pentagon have engaged with congressional staff, with further briefings anticipated.
The Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Program Office acknowledged awareness of the "shipment issue" and stated it is collaborating with US authorities and industry partners to retrieve the components, investigate the matter, and establish safeguards to prevent recurrence. The diversion to Hong Kong raised concerns due to China's proximity and its history of espionage targeting secret Pentagon programs, including the F-35.
J.J. Gertler, a former staff member for the House Armed Services Committee and military aviation analyst, noted China's aggressive efforts to obtain F-35 data through electronic espionage. He added that possessing a physical component could provide valuable insights to verify or refine existing intelligence.