The Newshound

F-35 stealth jet parts shipped from Australia vanish after being diverted to Hong Kong near China

From the Newshound archive · first published 22 September 2026.

An F-35B stealth fighter jet, components of which were shipped from Australia to the US but diverted to Hong Kong's Kwai Chung port, where they remain unaccounted for amid fears sensitive technology secrets may have…
An F-35B stealth fighter jet, components of which were shipped from Australia to the US but diverted to Hong Kong's Kwai Chung port, where they remain unaccounted for amid fears sensitive technology secrets may have…

Components from Australia's F-35 fighter jet programme — reportedly including a canopy coated with radar-absorbent stealth technology — were diverted to Hong Kong and remain unaccounted for months later. Australian acting prime minister Richard Marles confirmed Canberra is investigating "everything that has occurred at the Australian end" while working with the US and Lockheed Martin. The shipment was handled by an unknown third party on Lockheed's behalf before it went missing. The Pentagon has confirmed some components are still missing.

The canopy reportedly carried radar-absorbent material giving stealth capability available only to the US and its close allies.

Marles insisted the parts were 'not sensitive', though China has a record of alleged espionage directed at the classified F-35 programme.

Australia operates 72 F-35s and is part of a seven-nation global spare-parts pool that also includes the UK, raising wider alliance security concerns.

MoreThe GuardianAustralia investigating how F-35 fighter jet parts bound for US went missing in Hong KongThe IndependentAustralia investigates after F-35 fighter jet parts bound for US land up in Hong KongThe Independent on MSNF-35 fighter jet parts bound for US land up in Hong KongMathrubhumi English‘Not sensitive’ says Australia minister as F-35 parts bound for US end up in Hong Kong
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →