Parts of F-35 missing: Secret technology from US stealth jet F-35 is said to have gone to Hong Kong

afp | According to a media report, secret technology of the ultra-modern US stealth jet F-35 may have fallen into China's hands. The Politico platform reported on Friday that a shipment containing parts of the aircraft, including the cockpit canopy with stealth technology, was diverted to Hong Kong en route from Australia to the United States and has since been reported missing. The F-35 stealth jet is considered the most modern fighter aircraft in the world; Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) only received the first jet for the Bundeswehr on Friday.

According to the report, the F-35 parts were to be shipped to the United States for repairs. It is therefore unclear why the cargo was redirected to the Chinese special administrative region of Hong Kong and where it is currently located. An investigation into this has been started in the US Congress. Manufacturer Lockheed Martin declined to comment, citing safety reasons.

A spokesman for the company said Lockheed Martin complies with all U.S. Department of Defense rules regarding the transportation of aircraft parts. “Our teams handle each load with the utmost care and adherence to all safety precautions to ensure the F-35 program and the safety of our allies.”

Because of their special shape and external coating, the F-35 aircraft are difficult to detect by enemy radar. They fly at 1.6 times the speed of sound and can carry more than eight tons of weapons, including nuclear weapons. Infrared cameras on the outer shell record the environment during flight and transmit the images directly to the pilot's helmet, which gives him a 360-degree view.

The jets are immensely expensive both to purchase and to maintain. The pure production costs for a machine alone are between 82.5 and 109 million dollars (71.5 to 95 million euros), depending on the model.

Nevertheless, according to Lockheed Martin, in addition to the US armed forces, 19 countries have already ordered the fighter aircraft. These include Great Britain, Israel, the Netherlands and Switzerland, among others. Germany plans to purchase up to 35 aircraft to replace the Bundeswehr's old Tornado jets.