F-35s: Stealth components disappeared and ended up in China – Alarm in US, allies

Components with stealth technology

The same sources stated that both parts were coated with radar-absorbing material, which enhances the aircraft's stealthlow-observability characteristics. It remains unknown why the shipment was diverted to Hong Kong. On Tuesday, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles told reporters that Canberra is aware of the incident and is working with the US and Lockheed Martin to determine how it can assist with the investigation. However, according to CNN, Marles also stated that, based on the briefing he received, the lost cargo did not contain sensitive components. Lockheed Martin, UPS, and the US Department of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment from CNBC.

Why the F-35 is considered a strategic "jewel"

The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter jet manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and the United States allows its sale only to close allies and partners. A characteristic example is Turkey, which was excluded from the F-35 program in 2019 following the purchase of the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft system. Washington had expressed fears that the Russian system could be used to gather intelligence regarding the aircraft capabilities.

Concerns over China

China has been at the center of past espionage cases involving US military data regarding the F-35 program. According to American prosecutors in 2024, Chinese hacker networks had targeted information related to the fighter jet. The issue gains even greater significance following last week's approval of a $24 billion deal for the sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia. Some American lawmakers have already expressed concerns that the aircraft's technology could ultimately end up in the hands of China. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi stated that the American intelligence community has warned that this specific sale "could bring the most valuable technological secrets of US military technology within arm's reach of the Chinese Communist Party."

The F-35 around the world

Operators of the F-35 include, among others, Australia, Belgium, and the United States itself, while countries such as Japan, Canada, and Singapore have also ordered the stealth aircraft. F-35s were also used by the US during the conflict with Iran, with the American Department of Defense reporting that one aircraft suffered damage from enemy fire.

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