The Pentagon is seeking the recovery of sensitive components from an F-35 fighter jet that were reportedly seized by Chinese authorities in Hong Kong in May. The parts, part of a shipment originally destined for the United States, were unexpectedly rerouted through Hong Kong before being taken into custody by the Chinese government.

According to Pentagon officials, the shipment involved unserviceable F-35 Lightning II parts, including a cockpit canopy and a weapons-bay door coated with radar-absorbing material. These components, produced by American defense contractor Lockheed Martin, are used on the Australian military’s F-35 fleet and were en route to the U.S. for inspection, repair, or disposal.

The shipment began in Australia and was being transported via UPS. The aircraft carrying the package stopped in South Korea before its subsequent diversion to Hong Kong. The circumstances surrounding the change in flight route remain unclear, and Pentagon sources have not confirmed whether the diversion was accidental or deliberate.

In a statement, the Pentagon acknowledged the issue and said it was collaborating with U.S. authorities and industry partners to recover the missing components, investigate the incident, and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The incident has raised concerns about potential security risks, as the F-35’s stealth technology remains highly classified and guarded. Experts warn that possession of such parts could allow insight into the jet’s radar-evading characteristics, which are central to its operational capabilities.

Australian and U.S. officials have yet to provide detailed public commentary on the matter, but efforts to address the situation are reportedly ongoing. The incident underscores the challenges in safeguarding advanced military technologies during international transportation amid rising geopolitical tensions.