Australia confirms F35 parts diverted to Hong Kong

Australia confirmed on Tuesday that F-35 fighter jet components shipped from the country were diverted to Hong Kong, prompting a joint investigation with the United States and manufacturer Lockheed Martin into how the parts ended up there. Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australian authorities had been made aware of the incident and were working with Washington and Lockheed Martin to assist the inquiry. "We are examining very much everything that has occurred at the Australian end," Marles told reporters in Adelaide, adding that it was his understanding no technologically sensitive parts were in the missing shipment. The Pentagon's F-35 Joint Program Office confirmed it was aware of a shipment issue involving unserviceable F-35 Lightning II components. A Department of Defense spokesperson said the office was actively working with US authorities and industry partners to retrieve the components, investigate the incident and put safeguards in place to prevent a recurrence. The shipment, bound for the United States for repairs, was rerouted in transit from Australia earlier this year, according to a report citing three people familiar with the matter.