China holds sensitive F-35 parts from Australian fighter jet
China seized cockpit and weapons-bay parts from an Australian F-35 bound for US inspection.
UPS was shipping a cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door from an Australian military F-35 to the United States for inspection and possible repair or disposal in late May. The shipment was inexplicably diverted to Hong Kong, where the Chinese government took possession of it.
The cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door are potentially sensitive parts of a stealth fighter jet. Australia regularly sends such parts to America for maintenance and repair.
- Cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door
- Parts seized
- Hong Kong
- Diversion destination
- Late May
- Month diverted
Why it mattersChina obtaining sensitive military parts of a stealth fighter jet raises security concerns for allied countries including Australia and the United States.
AustraliaAustralia's military equipment and its chain of custody with allied partners is now under scrutiny, with implications for national security partnerships and how defence equipment is handled.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 43 min ago
