Congress investigates after F-35 parts diverted to Hong Kong
The incident raises the possibility that top secret weapons technology may have been exposed to a foreign adversary — including China.
The U.S. Congress is investigating after the diversion of sensitive F-35 fighter jet technology to Hong Kong, raising concerns over potential Chinese access to critical components of the classified weapon system. A shipment of F-35 parts bound for the United States for repairs was rerouted and ended up in Hong Kong, according to three anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
The Pentagon confirmed the disappearance of some components, but it is unclear who now possesses the diverted parts. The incident prompted briefings for congressional staff on national security committees and is expected to continue in the coming weeks. The shipment included one of the jets' canopies, which contains stealth technology exclusive to the U.S. and its allies.
A degraded canopy could potentially allow an adversary to reverse-engineer the prized technology. The Pentagon is working with authorities and industry partners to retrieve the components, investigate the incident, and implement safeguards to prevent future occurrences. China, with its tightening grip on Hong Kong and strict national security laws, has been known to engage in espionage on secret Pentagon programs, including the F-35.
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