US security lapse: UPS employee's negligence led to China's access to secret fighter jet technology

New Delhi: A seemingly minor negligence by a United Parcel Service employee in the United States has raised security concerns across the country. The United States had been warned to keep a shipment containing F-35 cockpit canopies and weapons storage doors, along with radar-shielding material, away from Hong Kong.

Who sent the email and why?

The warning email came from freight forwarder DSV A/S, stating that F-35 jet parts should not be transported through certain countries to comply with the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which are intended to prevent sensitive American weapons technology from reaching America's enemies.

According to reports, DSV, working on behalf of F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp., sent an email to UPS reminding them of ITAR regulations. However, the shipping service provider ignored the email.

According to a source, the UPS agent may be using a different system than the one through which the DSV email was sent.

Why is a routing error a security threat?

Citing sources, Bloomberg reported that the shipment of fighter jet parts was originally supposed to be sent to San Francisco via South Korea and Taiwan. However, the shipment was delayed and, in an attempt to expedite delivery, it was mistakenly sent via Hong Kong.

Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II is one of the world's most advanced fighter jets and part of the most expensive weapons program in US history. Beijing has been targeting the aircraft in espionage efforts for years.

According to reports, two sections of the plane that arrived in Hong Kong were coated with radar-absorbing material. This material enhances the aircraft's stealth capabilities. It is a crucial part of the aircraft's design, allowing it to operate undetected by enemy radar systems.

Diana Maurer, who oversees the F-35 support review at the non-partisan Government Accountability Office, said in a report that it's not a good thing that China now has the F-35's canopy. She called it a major mistake.

He further said, 'I am sure China would have celebrated and then they would have started looking for a way to reverse-engineer it and counter it with their technological capabilities.'

There was a stir in the US Parliament and the Pentagon

Following the incident, the US Department of Defense and State Department launched high-level investigations into the incident, and US lawmakers have called for a review of the global arms supply system.

On the matter, Lockheed Martin clarified that they are working with transport partners to strengthen their logistics monitoring to ensure that such human or technical errors are not repeated in the future.

Lockheed said, "While we cannot provide details about which logistics partner was involved, we are working with them to develop and implement mitigation measures that will strengthen our collective surveillance and prevent a recurrence of this incident."