US and Australia investigate F-35 parts mistakenly sent to Hong Kong

The US is investigating reports that F-35 components shipped from Australia to the US were rerouted to Hong Kong last week. Politico said the consignment included a radar-deflecting cockpit canopy and a weapons-bay door. The Pentagon’s F-35 office is working to recover them. Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles said they were not sensitive; China’s Foreign Ministry said it was unaware. Neither US nor Australian authorities have suggested Beijing deliberately diverted the shipment or accessed the technology.