Cotton to Hegseth: Review Military Supply Chain Security

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tatum Wallace or Hannah McCarthy September 29, 2026 Cotton to Hegseth: Review Military Supply Chain Security WASHINGTON— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth encouraging a review of military supply chains, which provide troops with the weapons, food, medical supplies, and other resources needed to defend our country. This follows recent reports that F-35 components shipped from Australia to the United States were diverted to Hong Kong and are in the Chinese government’s possession. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “Securing these supply chains is critical to ensuring that our warfighters around the world have access to the most advanced equipment and technology and to ensuring that our adversaries do not gain access to U.S. technology.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. September 29, 2026 Secretary Pete Hegseth Secretary of War U.S. Department of War 1000 Defense Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20301 Dear Secretary Hegseth, I write requesting the Department of War review the security of military equipment and supplies transported through commercial and contractor-managed supply chains. Recent reports revealed that F-35 components being shipped from Australia to the United States were diverted to Hong Kong. Lockheed Martin, which manages the F-35 supply chain, transported the parts via commercial carrier. Alarmingly, it was also reported that the Chinese government has taken possession of the components and has yet to return them. We can’t afford for U.S. military equipment to fall into the hands of a foreign adversary because of vulnerabilities in commercial transportation. DOW relies extensively on contractors and commercial carriers to move military equipment, replacement parts, and vital supplies around the world. And while I recognize that such arrangements allow for ease and speed of movement, those advantages must not come at the expense of maintaining our military edge. Classified and designated sensitive components should receive heightened protections, but all U.S. military material can provide adversaries valuable insight into U.S. weapons systems, logistics, and readiness, as well as access to American troops. Given the complexity of these global supply chains, prioritizing national security every step of the way is vital. Therefore, I ask DOW to review (1) chain-of-custody requirements for military equipment and supplies transported by contractors and commercial carriers; (2) the Department’s ability to track the location and routing of these shipments; (3) procedures for approving and reporting changes to shipping routes; (4) criteria for allowing a shipment to pass through foreign jurisdictions; and (5) safeguards to prevent military materiel from transiting through or being diverted to China and other adversary-controlled jurisdictions. Securing these supply chains is critical to ensuring that our warfighters around the world have access to the most advanced equipment and technology and to ensuring that our adversaries do not gain access to U.S. technology. I look forward to working with you on this important matter. Sincerely, Tom Cotton United States Senator ###