The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) allowed the delivery of F-35 aircraft, which was suspended after the manufacturer Lockheed Martin detected the use of Chinese material, to continue.
F-35 DELIVERY STOPPED
It turned out that a metal component used in the fighter jet engine produced by the Lockheed Martin company came from China. The Defense Procurement Management Agency alerted the Pentagon’s F-35 Co-Production Program Department on August 19 that an alloy used in the magnets found in the turbomachinery pumps of the F-35’s aircraft comes from China.
In response, the Pentagon decided in September to temporarily suspend the deliveries of F-35 aircraft to both the US military and customers abroad.
THE CRISIS IS OVER
According to the news in Euronews, Weapons supply officer for the Pentagon, William LaPlante, signed an exemption on Oct. 8, allowing alloy in the engine’s oil pump that did not comply with US procurement laws.
Emphasizing that the acceptance of his planes is necessary for national security, LaPlante noted that the exemption covers the planes contracted until October 2023.
During this time, pump supplier Honeywell International Inc will supply an alternative product instead of the Chinese part.
It was stated that the Chinese piece did not transmit information, did not damage the aircraft and did not pose a security risk.