Chinese authorities reportedly hold F-35 parts diverted to Hong Kong

September 23, 2026 at 05:00 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Chinese authorities are reportedly in possession of F-35 stealth fighter components after a UPS shipment from Australia was diverted to Hong Kong in late May. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said Canberra is working with the U.S. and Lockheed Martin on the investigation, while stating no sensitive parts were in the missing shipment.

Key Facts

A UPS shipment containing an F-35 cockpit canopy and weapons bay door was diverted from Australia to Hong Kong in late May.
Both parts were coated with radar-absorbing material that enhances stealth capabilities.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said on Tuesday that Australia was aware of the shipment and working with the U.S. and Lockheed Martin on the investigation.
Marles said it was his understanding that no sensitive parts were in the missing shipment.
Lockheed Martin, UPS, and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment from CNBC.

The Diverted Shipment

Chinese authorities are reportedly in possession of F-35 stealth fighter parts after components were inexplicably diverted to Hong Kong. Shipping giant UPS was sending a cockpit canopy and weapons bay door to the U.S. from Australia in late May when the shipment was diverted. Both parts were coated with a radar-absorbing material that enhances their stealth capabilities. It was not clear why the shipment was diverted to Hong Kong.

Official Response

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles told reporters on Tuesday that Australia was aware of the shipment and was working with the U.S. and Lockheed Martin to see how Canberra can assist in the investigation. Marles also said it was his understanding that no sensitive parts were in the missing shipment, according to CNN. Lockheed Martin, UPS, and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment from CNBC.

F-35 Security Concerns

The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter made by Lockheed Martin, and Washington controls the sale of these aircraft only to its closest partners and allies. Turkey was excluded from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft system, which raised fears that the Russian system could be used as an intelligence collection platform. China has targeted F-35-related U.S. military data in past espionage cases, according to U.S. prosecutors in 2024. A $24 billion sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia was approved last week, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over the technology finding its way into Chinese hands. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said the U.S. intelligence community has warned that the sale could put the crown jewels of American military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party.