Pentagon Investigating How F-35 Fighter Jet Parts Bound for US Were Diverted to Hong Kong
Derricke Dennis
Sep 23, 2026, 9:28 AM EDT
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have launched an inquiry into reports that sensitive F-35 fighter jet technology was somehow sent to Hong Kong this summer in an unexplained mishap.
Politico was the first to report how the shipment of F-35 parts was bound for the United States for repairs but was rerouted over the Pacific Ocean from Australia. The incident has raised concern over the possibility that Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China which has become an increasing U.S. adversary, could have access to key components of the highly classified weapons system.
The report claims an intermediary was transporting the parts on behalf of manufacturer Lockheed Martin. It’s not clear why the equipment was rerouted to Hong Kong or who has possession of it now.
Military.com reached out to the Pentagon's F-35 Joint Program Office for further details of the diverted F-35 parts, asking specifically how it could happen and whether national security could be at risk by having sensitive military jet components in the hands of China.
"The F-35 Joint Program Office and Office of the Secretary of War are aware of a shipment issue of unserviceable F-35 Lightning II components," the office told Military.com. "We are actively working with U.S. authorities and industry partners to retrieve these components, investigate the incident, and place safeguards to avoid a future occurrence."
Lockheed said in a statement: "Our teams handle every shipment with the utmost diligence and safeguards to ensure the integrity of the F-35 program and the security of our allied partners.”
What Was in the Shipment?
The shipment reportedly included one of the jet’s cockpit canopies, which contains stealth technology that only the U.S. and its allies can access.
It's an acrylic bubble that tops the cockpit and is coated with a thin layer of transparent radar absorbent material that helps hide the plane from enemy radar.
The incident has led to a series of inquiries and briefings among congressional lawmakers and staff serving on key national security committees. Many are concerned an adversary could study the parts and potentially copy or reverse-engineer the technology for their own use.
Politico reported that U.S. State Department and Pentagon officials were first briefed staff in June, according to sources, and that additional briefings are expected in coming weeks.
The shipment’s unexpected diversion to Hong Kong would have brought it under Beijing’s command, which has in recent years kept a tight hold on Hong Kong. There are strict national security laws that allow Chinese authorities to influence Hong Kong’s political system and crack down on dissent.
