UPS error routed sensitive F-35 parts through Hong Kong: Bloomberg
A missed DSV warning let the shipment be rerouted after it fell behind schedule, prompting U.S. and Australian investigations into F-35 supply chain oversight.
- On October 7, 2026, reports revealed that a United Parcel Service employee missed a warning, allowing an Australian F-35 cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door to transit through Hong Kong and end up in Chinese hands.
- Freight forwarder DSV warned that components coated in radar-absorbing material were subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations and should not transit through certain countries, but the shipment fell behind schedule.
- The Pentagon and State Department launched investigations following the diversion, first made public in September, while Australia, which operates 72 F-35A fighters, has been assisting United States authorities with the inquiry.
- Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said there was "a sense of comfort" because the parts were unserviceable, while Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy declined to comment on potential espionage, citing ongoing investigations.
- The GAO previously found more than 19,000 spare parts awaiting disposal instructions with losses valued at over $85 million, as the F-35 Joint Program Office had reviewed fewer than 2% of those losses.
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This incident highlights the risks of technological espionage and the vulnerability of defence supply chains. The Pentagon has been alerted and several investigations are underway.
Protothema
e-thessalia.grThe fighter jet parts were to be transported from Australia to the US, via South Korea and Taiwan, but due to a delay the shipment was incorrectly routed via Hong Kong.
China reportedly holds sensitive F-35 fighter jet parts diverted to Hong Kong
Chinese authorities are reportedly in possession of parts of an F-35 stealth fighter jet after components of the aircraft were "inexplicably diverted to Hong Kong," CNBC reported. Shipping giant UPS was transporting a cockpit canopy and weapons bay door from Australia to the United States in late May when the shipment was diverted, Bloomberg reported, citing sources. According to the sources, both components were coated with radar-absorbing mate…
UPS missed warning email before F-35 stealth parts ended up in China
A missed warning about US arms export restrictions allowed components from an Australian F-35 stealth fighter to pass through Hong Kong and end up in Chinese hands, raising fresh questions about oversight of the aircraft's international supply chain. The incident involved a cockpit canopy and a weapons-bay door, both coated with radar-absorbing material, that were
Classified F-35 parts end up in Chinese hands after UPS employee misses email
China obtained sensitive components from the F-35, the world's most advanced fighter jet, after a UPS employee overlooked a critical email warning against routing the shipment through Hong Kong, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. The incident, which occurred in late May, has caused considerable embarrassment for the Pentagon and defense contractor Lockheed Martin, prompting investigations into how […] The post Classified F-35 parts end up in Chinese …
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