US Congress probes F-35 parts shipment to Hong Kong
Congress has launched an investigation after sensitive F-35 fighter jet components were mistakenly shipped to Hong Kong, raising concerns over Chinese access.
Key Takeaways
AIThe US Congress has opened an investigation after a shipment containing parts from an F-35 fighter jet was diverted to Hong Kong, sparking fears that sensitive components could reach China and be used to study stealth-related technologies.
Officials from the State Department and the Pentagon provided an initial briefing to congressional national security staff in June, with further briefings expected in the coming weeks. The incident, previously undisclosed, remains under close scrutiny in Congress.
According to two sources familiar with the matter cited by Politico, the shipment included a cockpit canopy for the F-35, a component featuring stealth technology available only to the United States and its allies.
The arrival of these components in Hong Kong has raised concerns that a hostile entity could study and reverse-engineer the technology. The cockpit canopy is considered a sensitive part of the F-35's design and could provide valuable information if it were to fall into Chinese hands.
The Pentagon's F-35 Joint Program Office said it is "aware of an issue involving a shipment of unserviceable F-35 Lightning II components," adding that it is working with US authorities and defense industry partners "to recover these components, investigate the incident, and implement safeguards to prevent recurrence."
The shipment was unexpectedly rerouted to Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, raising concerns about Beijing's influence. The incident comes amid reports that China has previously targeted secret US military programs, including the F-35 program, through espionage.
J.J. Gertler, a former staff member of the House Armed Services Committee and a military aviation analyst at the Congressional Research Service, said China "is aggressively seeking F-35 data through cyber espionage and other means."
He added that having an actual piece of the aircraft could provide additional insights, even if China already possesses specifications or other data, noting that a physical component could help "verify, refine, or audit existing information."
The incident comes as the global network for storing, transporting, and repairing F-35 parts faces scrutiny, with previous US oversight reports highlighting gaps in tracking spare parts, including unserviceable components.