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Pentagon Says Missing F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 10:49 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Pentagon Missing F-35 Parts

The U.S. Pentagon reports a shipment of F-35 parts was diverted to Hong Kong and is missing.
The cargo included a stealth-coated cockpit canopy destined for U.S. repairs from Australia.
The F-35 Joint Program Office is coordinating with U.S. authorities and industry partners to recover the components.
Analyst J.J. Gertler warned China could reverse-engineer the canopy.
A 2023 GAO report noted over 1 million missing parts valued at $85 million.

Summary

China Hunts F-35 Data

State Department approved potential sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia valued at $24.3 billion.
The sale may face heightened scrutiny after a Hong Kong diversion raised security concerns.
Former House Armed Services Committee staffer J.J. Gertler said China aggressively seeks F-35 data through electronic espionage.
The Pentagon’s Joint Program Office is working with U.S. authorities and industry partners to retrieve components and add safeguards.

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Pentagon Missing F-35 Parts

The U.S. Pentagon reports a shipment of F-35 parts was diverted to Hong Kong and is missing.
The cargo included a stealth-coated cockpit canopy destined for U.S. repairs from Australia.
The F-35 Joint Program Office is coordinating with U.S. authorities and industry partners to recover the components.
Analyst J.J. Gertler warned China could reverse-engineer the canopy.
A 2023 GAO report noted over 1 million missing parts valued at $85 million.

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