Pentagon probes how China got parts for F-35s

BAD TIMING: The disclosure of the incident, which is under investigation by at least two congressional committees, comes as Xi was to meet with Trump

The Pentagon is investigating how parts of the US’ most advanced fighter jet ended up in Hong Kong, with a news outlet on Wednesday reporting that China has obtained the F-35 equipment.

The F-35 Joint Program Office said in a statement that it and the US Department of Defense are aware of “a shipment issue” with F-35 components.

“We are actively working with US authorities and industry partners to retrieve these components, investigate the incident and place safeguards to avoid a future occurrence,” the office said.

A US Air Force F-35 performs maneuvers on the second day of Aero India 2023 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on Feb. 14, 2023.

Photo: AP

UPS was shipping a cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door from an Australian military F-35 that was being sent to the US for inspection and possible repair or disposal in late May, said people briefed on the incident, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters.

Both parts, supplied by Lockheed Martin Corp, were coated with radar-absorbing material that enhances their stealth capabilities, two of the people said.

The plane stopped in South Korea en route to the US and from there it was routed to Hong Kong, one of the people said.

It is not clear why the plane stopped in South Korea or why it was diverted to Hong Kong, or whether the parts were intentionally diverted or by mistake.

The Chinese government later took possession of the parts, and has not returned them, two of the people said.

Australian Minister for Defence Richard Marles acknowledged that the jet components ended up in Hong Kong when responding to questions from reporters on Tuesday.

“My understanding is that there is a sense of comfort, and we’re not talking about sensitive equipment here or sensitive parts. Ultimately, though, this is an issue which is going to be managed by the United States and by Lockheed in terms of what has occurred,” he said.

A Chinese embassy spokesman declined immediate comment, while the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it was “not aware of the situation.”

Disclosure of the incident comes at a politically sensitive time for the two countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) arrived in the US on Wednesday evening for a state visit hosted by US President Donald Trump.

At least two congressional committees are investigating how the parts fell into Chinese hands.

China’s possession of the parts, the stop in South Korea and the fact that UPS was used to transport them had not been previously reported. Politico reported earlier that the parts had been unexpectedly diverted to Hong Kong.

“The juxtaposition is hard to miss,” US Senator Elissa Slotkin said on Bloomberg Television’s Balance of Power. “The Chinese are holding some of our most sensitive technology and we are rolling out the red carpet for their president.”

Slotkin said she had not received a briefing on the issue.

“When it comes to intelligence and military issues, China is a competitor and an adversary. They are always seeking information about our military equipment, sensitive information,” she said.

China has for years targeted the F-35 in its espionage efforts. Concerns that China could learn valuable intelligence about the jet were one reason why a US bid to sell F-35s to the United Arab Emirates, announced in Trump’s first term, later collapsed.

The F-35 is “widely recognized as America’s best and most advanced fighter jet,” said Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank.

Bowman in November last year said that US military systems are constantly being updated and improved, counteracting any possible secrets stolen years ago.

Described as a fifth-generation fighter, the F-35’s technologies include stealth coatings as well as advanced radar and sensors, according to the Congressional Research Service.

The plane has advanced sensors to better detect enemies as well as networking capabilities to communicate with allied planes and ground forces during combat, Bowman said.

The Pentagon said it was working to retrieve the parts.

Officials “are aware of a shipment issue of unserviceable F-35 components. We are actively working with US authorities and industry partners to retrieve these components, investigate the incident, and place safeguards to avoid a future occurrence,” it said in a statement.

A Lockheed Martin spokesperson in Australia yesterday said in a statement that “the components in question are unserviceable and deemed low risk for exploitation.”

“It’s always best when your adversaries have to guess at your capabilities,” said J.J. Gertler, a former aviation analyst for Congressional Research Service who is now director of The Defense Concepts Organization. “You never want to hand them evidence.”

UPS disclosed the incident to the US Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, which enforces export control laws, out of an abundance of caution. Company spokesman Malcolm Berkley declined to comment.

During a closed US Senate Committee on Armed Services F-35 hearing on June 23, defense department program office officials expressed their hope the components would be returned, people familiar with the exchange said.

The diversion is being reviewed by two House congressional panels — House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees.

House Armed Services Committee spokeswoman Heather Vaughan said the “committee is aware of this issue and we’ve received multiple briefings on it.”

The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland also “is aware of the reports and is currently looking into the matter,” spokesman Dave Vasquez said.