Congress Investigates Disappearance of Sensitive F-35 Parts

U.S. media have reported that Congress has begun an investigation into the disappearance and diversion of spare parts for F-35 fighter jets, a shipment that was sent from Australia to the United States for repairs but unexpectedly ended up in Hong Kong.

According to Politico, a problem arose during the transfer of these parts last summer, and part of the shipment was diverted to Hong Kong, which is linked to China. According to informed sources, it is still unclear where the shipment is now.

The sources said the cargo included a cockpit canopy equipped with classified technology. That has heightened security concerns over how the parts related to these jets were transported and stored.

Lockheed Martin, the maker of the F-35 fighter jet, said it could not disclose details about the shipment for security reasons.

A U.S. government report published in 2023 also said that more than one million F-35 spare parts worth tens of millions of dollars had disappeared over the previous five years. The F-35 is considered one of the most advanced military aircraft in the United States, and parts of it contain highly sensitive technology.