Components for the F-35 fighter jet, including a cockpit canopy and a weapons-bay door, were intercepted in Hong Kong during transit from Australia to San Francisco. These parts feature radar-absorbing coatings designed to enhance stealth capabilities.
The shipment was handled by the logistics firm UPS. According to reports, a UPS agent diverted the cargo through Hong Kong to expedite delivery, failing to see an email from the freight specialist DSV that warned against using restricted routes under U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
The error reportedly stemmed from the use of incompatible email systems between the two logistics companies. As a result, the sensitive military hardware arrived in a region blacklisted for such shipments and remains in Chinese possession.
While the Pentagon has described the items as unserviceable components, the Government Accountability Office has characterized the loss as a significant security concern, noting the potential for reverse engineering by Chinese teams.
