Description: Australian Defense Minister, Richard Marles, stated that components for the US F 35 fighter jet ended up in Hong Kong after a logistical mistake. Marles added that no sensitive technology or crucial parts ended up in the wrong hands, downplaying the reports that China has got ahold of the parts and technology used to design the fifth generation fighter jet. The Pentagon, alongside Australian defense authorities announced that it was investigating the incident after reports that the parts ended up in Chinese possession. Separate reports indicated that China has come to possession of a cockpit canopy and a weapons bay door since the parts were meant to be transported from Australia to the US for repairs. The Congress and State Department have announced that separate inquiries into the incident would be opened in order to determine the true extent of confidential exposure.
Impact: The incident highly likely demonstrates how the weaponization of supply chain, combined with covert activities can lead adversarial countries to possession of sensitive parts of military equipment. Australia as one of the main partners in the F 35 fighter jet program could likely come under scrutiny in case the investigations determine that the logistical mistake was done on their end. The US is highly likely going to enforce additional protective measures on its military supply chains in the short to mid – term period, considering China’s aggressive and consistent pursuit to gain information on advanced US technology.