The Pentagon is trying to retrieve parts of an F-35 fighter jet that were seized by the Chinese government in May after a package bound for the US was unexpectedly diverted to Hong Kong.
The incident, first reported by Politico, has raised concerns that China could gain insight into the highly classified technology used on the stealth aircraft.
“The F-35 Joint Program Office and Department of War are aware of a shipment issue of unserviceable F-35 Lightning II components,” the Pentagon said in a statement provided to The Post.
“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 statement continued.
The missing parts reportedly include a cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door, which are both coated with a radar-absorbing material, according to Bloomberg.
The components are from an Australian military F-35, and they were being shipped to the US from Australia via UPS for “inspection and possible repair or disposal,” the outlet reported.
The plane delivering the parts to the US stopped in South Korea along the way, and was then routed to Hong Kong, where the Chinese government took possession of the components, which are made by American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.
It’s unclear why the plane was diverted to Hong Kong and whether it was intentional or a mistake.
Reports of the incident surfaced just ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival in Washington.
President Trump, who greeted Xi on the tarmac of Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, is hosting a state dinner for the Chinese leader at the White House on Thursday night.
“The juxtaposition is hard to miss,” Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) told Bloomberg. “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 been briefed on the apparent mishap, but warned, “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.”
