China obtained F-35 parts that the US tried to retrieve from Hong Kong

Chinese authorities have obtained components of the American F-35 fighter jet that unexpectedly ended up in Hong Kong while being shipped from Australia to the United States. The Pentagon is investigating the incident and trying to recover the equipment.

This was reported by Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the situation. The Pentagon has confirmed the problem with the shipment of the components, but has not officially confirmed that they are in the possession of the Chinese government.

The parts in question are a canopy and an internal weapons bay door from an Australian F-35. In late May, these parts were sent from Australia to the US for inspection and possible repair or disposal.

According to Bloomberg, the shipment was handled by UPS. On its way to the US, the cargo ended up in South Korea, after which it was redirected to Hong Kong. It is not yet clear why the route changed and whether this was a mistake or a deliberate act.

Later, according to the agency's sources, the components came under the control of the Chinese authorities and have not yet been returned.

Both parts were manufactured by Lockheed Martin and coated with radar-absorbing material used to reduce the F-35's visibility to radar. China's possible access to this coating was one of the reasons for the heightened attention to the incident.

Meanwhile, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles tried to downplay concerns about the incident. He said that, according to information available to Canberra, this was not sensitive equipment. Australia is cooperating with the US and Lockheed Martin in the investigation.

The Pentagon confirmed to CBS News that it is aware of the problem with the shipment of "unserviceable F-35 Lightning II components." The department, together with American authorities and contractors, is trying to recover the parts and determine the circumstances.

The US Department of Defense also said that after the investigation it intends to take additional measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

China has not publicly confirmed receiving the parts. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it "is unaware of the situation."

The incident has drawn the attention of US lawmakers. Concerns relate less to the structural parts themselves, but rather to the possibility of studying the materials and technologies used to reduce the radar signature of the F-35, one of the most advanced US combat aircraft.