American media have reported that a shipment of F-35 fighter jet parts that was sent from Australia to the United States earlier this year was unexpectedly transferred to Hong Kong and its whereabouts are now unknown.
Reports say the shipment included parts such as the cockpit cover and the weapons bay door, which contain radar-absorbing materials that help reduce the fighter’s radar reflection. The transfer of these parts to Hong Kong has raised concerns about China’s possible access to F-35-related technologies.
The Pentagon has said it is aware of the problem in the transfer and is working with US authorities and related companies to return the parts, review how they were transferred, and establish security measures to prevent a repeat of such an incident.
While some recent reports of the takeover
Parts reported by China Australian officials have said that as far as they are aware, these parts include the equipment was not sensitive.
