F-35 parts diverted to Hong Kong, Politico reports

Australia said on Monday that it protects classified defence technology and has robust export controls after Politico reported that F-35 fighter jet parts from Australia were diverted to Hong Kong.

Politico said the shipment included a canopy with radar-resistant technology and had been bound for the United States. The outlet said the diversion raised the possibility that China had accessed the weapons system, but said it was unclear why the equipment was rerouted or who now held it. Politico did not suggest that Australia was responsible.

An Australian Defence Force spokesperson said the government took the protection of classified and export-controlled technologies extremely seriously and maintained a robust export control regime administered by Defence.

Lockheed Martin Australia said it could not discuss its shipping procedures for security reasons, but said every shipment was handled with “utmost diligence”. The company said it followed US regulations set by the Department of War and regulated by the Defense Logistics Agency for shipping aircraft components.

BAE Systems Australia said Lockheed Martin took control of the warehouse contract responsible for shipping F-35 components from Australia in November 2024. BAE said it was not under contract and had no involvement in global shipping of F-35 components.

Australia has 72 F-35 jets and is one of seven countries outside the United States that share a global pool of spare parts. A warehouse in Williamtown, near Newcastle north of Sydney, operates as an Asia-Pacific regional hub for F-35 spare parts.