F-35 parts sent to Hong Kong not sensitive, Australia says

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said missing F-35 fighter parts diverted from Australia to Hong Kong were not sensitive, and confirmed Canberra was helping investigate the incident.

Politico reported that a shipment of F-35 parts, including a canopy with radar-resistant technology, had been unexpectedly diverted to Hong Kong after leaving Australia. Politico said the components were bound for the United States but ended up in Hong Kong, and that it was unclear why they were rerouted or who held them.

Marles told reporters on September 22 that Australia was working with the United States and Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the F-35 programme, on the investigation.

“We're not talking about sensitive equipment here or sensitive parts,” Marles said. He said Lockheed Martin was responsible for managing the F-35 global supply chain and that the issue would be managed by the United States and Lockheed.

Australia has 72 F-35 jets and is among seven countries outside the United States sharing 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.

Lockheed Martin Australia said it could not discuss shipping procedures for security reasons, but said every shipment was handled with “utmost diligence” and followed US regulations.