Reports indicate that Chinese authorities have obtained F-35 stealth fighter components after parts of the jet were mysteriously rerouted to Hong Kong.

In late May, UPS was transporting a cockpit canopy and a weapons bay door from Australia to the United States when the shipment was diverted, according to Bloomberg, which cited sources.

The sources noted that both components were coated with radar-absorbent material to improve stealth, and they could not explain why the shipment ended up in Hong Kong.

On Tuesday, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles informed reporters that Australia knew about the shipment and was collaborating with the United States and Lockheed Martin to determine how Canberra could help with the investigation.

Marles added that, to his knowledge, the missing shipment did not contain any sensitive components, as reported by CNN.

Lockheed Martin, UPS, and the Pentagon did not immediately reply to requests for comment from Verum.

The F-35, a fifth‑generation stealth jet produced by Lockheed Martin, is sold by the United States only to its closest allies and partners.

Turkey, for instance, was barred from the F‑35 programme in 2019 after acquiring Russia’s S‑400 air‑defence system, sparking concerns that the S‑400 could be exploited to gather intelligence on the jet’s capabilities.

U.S. prosecutors said in 2024 that China has previously sought F‑35‑related American military data in espionage cases.

Last week, a $24 billion deal to sell F‑35s to Saudi Arabia was cleared, yet several members of Congress have warned that the technology could end up in China’s possession.

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D‑IL) noted that the U.S. intelligence community cautioned that the sale “might place the crown jewels of American military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party.”

The fighter jet is operated by Australia, Belgium and the United States, while Japan, Canada and Singapore have also placed orders for the aircraft.

The United States has also deployed F‑35s in the Iran conflict, during which one jet sustained damage from enemy fire, the Department of Defense reported.

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Chinese authorities are reportedly in possession of F-35 stealth fighter parts after components of the aircraft were “inexplicably diverted to Hong Kong.”

Shipping giant UPS was sending a cockpit canopy and weapons bay door to the U.S. from Australia in late May when it was diverted, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing sources.

Both parts were coated with a radar absorbing material that enhances their stealth capabilities, the sources said, and it was not clear why the shipment was diverted to Hong Kong.

On Tuesday, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles told reporters Tuesday that Australia was aware of the shipment, and was working with the U.S. and Lockheed Martin to see how Canberra can assist in the investigation.

Marles also said it was his understanding that no sensitive parts were in the missing shipment, according to CNN.

Lockheed Martin, UPS and the Pentagon didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment from CNBC.

The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter made by Lockheed Martin, and Washington controls the sale of these aircraft only to its closest partners and allies.

For example, Turkey was excluded from the F-35 program in 2019 after the country purchased the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft system, which raised fears that the Russian system could be used as an intelligence collection platform to learn about the aircraft’s capabilities.

China has targeted F-35-related U.S. military data in past espionage cases, according to U.S. prosecutors in 2024.

A $24 billion sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia was approved last week, but some lawmakers in Congress have already expressed concerns over the technology finding its way into Chinese hands.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) said that the U.S. intelligence community has warned that the sale “could put the crown jewels of American military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party.”

Users of the fighter jet include Australia and Belgium, as well as the U.S. itself, with other countries like Japan, Canada and Singapore having also ordered the aircraft.

F-35s have also been used by the U.S. during the Iran conflict, with one aircraft suffering damage from enemy fire, according to the Department of Defense.