China reportedly holds sensitive F-35 fighter jet parts diverted to Hong Kong

US has also deployed F-35 fighter jets during conflict with Iran, with one aircraft sustaining damage from enemy fire

Chinese authorities are reportedly in possession of parts of an F-35 stealth fighter jet after components of the aircraft were "inexplicably diverted to Hong Kong," CNBC reported.

Shipping giant UPS was transporting a cockpit canopy and weapons bay door from Australia to the United States in late May when the shipment was diverted, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.

According to the sources, both components were coated with radar-absorbing material designed to enhance the aircraft’s stealth capabilities. It remained unclear why the shipment was diverted to Hong Kong.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles told reporters that Australia was aware of the shipment and was working with the US and Lockheed Martin to determine how Canberra could assist in the investigation, CNN reported.

Marles also said it was his understanding that the missing shipment did not contain sensitive components, according to CNN.

Lockheed Martin, UPS and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to CNBC’s requests for comment.

The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter manufactured by Lockheed Martin, with Washington restricting sales of the aircraft to its closest partners and allies.

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Turkiye, for instance, was excluded from the F-35 programme in 2019 after purchasing Russia’s S-400 anti-aircraft system, amid concerns that the Russian system could be used as an intelligence-gathering platform to learn about the aircraft’s capabilities.

China has previously targeted US military data related to the F-35 in espionage cases, according to US prosecutors in 2024.

A $24 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia was approved last week, although some members of Congress have already raised concerns about the technology potentially falling into Chinese hands.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said the US intelligence community had warned that the sale “could put the crown jewels of American military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party.”

Countries operating the F-35 include Australia, Belgium and the US, while Japan, Canada and Singapore are among those that have also ordered the aircraft.

The US has also deployed F-35 fighter jets during the conflict with Iran, with one aircraft sustaining damage from enemy fire, according to the Department of Defence.