The US authorities have started an investigation after the shipment of the most sensitive parts of the F-35 fighter jets sent from Australia to the US was transferred to Hong Kong.
According to international media reports, the shipment also included the protective shelter of the F-35 aircraft (F-35 canopy) which plays an important role in the aircraft’s ability to stay hidden, the shelter has a special layer that absorbs radar rays, which helps to reduce the ability of the aircraft to come in the radar and identify.
The parts were being transported through a commercial agent but it is not clear where the shipment was sent after Hong Kong or where the parts are now.
According to reports, the US Department of Defense has started an investigation while the national security committees of the Congress have also started investigating the matter.
International media reports indicate that US officials began briefing committee staff on the issue in June and that more meetings on the issue are expected.
The F-35 program office also confirmed the problem with the shipment of aircraft parts, saying that authorities are working with the companies concerned to recover the parts, investigate the incident and take precautionary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
According to reports, there are maintenance facilities for F-35 aircraft in Australia, but currently no center has the capability to repair the shelters of these aircraft.
The plane maker declined to comment on individual shipments, saying it follows U.S. laws governing the movement of aircraft parts and takes the necessary precautions to protect each shipment.
Oversight of F-35 parts has been a concern for US officials before.
According to a 2023 official report, a major contractor lost more than 1 million F-35 parts worth more than $85 million after May 2018. Officials assessed less than 2 percent of those losses.
According to reports, by October 2022, more than 900,000 parts worth more than $66 million had not been reported to the relevant office for review.
The June 2026 update also cited parts availability and over-reliance on contractors as continuing problems for the US Department of Defense.