Pentagon loses hundreds of thousands of parts for F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets worth more than $85m

The US Department of Defence does not know where hundreds of thousands of parts for the F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jet are. This was announced by the Government Accountability Office.

Here's What We Know

The agency said in a statement that the value of the lost parts was more than $85 million. However, the actual value of the unaccounted-for components is believed to be much higher. They were "lost, damaged or destroyed".

The F-35 program office, which reports to the U.S. Department of Defense, does not control or keep records of the components. Also, the Government Accountability Office says the office does not track or enter the parts into the property records system.

Lockheed Martin supplies fifth-generation fighter jets to other countries, but allies do not own the parts but use the Pentagon's general stock of parts. This includes propulsion systems, tyres, landing gear, propellers and more.

The parts are dispersed in more than 50 locations around the world. Specifically, at subcontractor sites, U.S. and international military bases, foreign partners in the supply chain, and Defense Logistics Agency warehouses.

Interestingly, the F-35 programme office spent nearly $12 million on the inventory, but despite this, it did not specify the value, total number and location of parts in the global pool. In total, the Pentagon has been missing almost 1 million parts since 2018.

Source: Government Accountability Office