Human rights lawyers and the Greens are accusing the Australian federal government of concealing details about the country's role in a global supply chain that supports Israel's F-35 jet fighters. Previously, the Department of Defence's website featured a page detailing how the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program was benefiting Australian industry. This page included a graphic illustrating various components manufactured in Australia, such as flight control systems and engine parts, and listed companies that received over $4 billion in contracts. The website stated that as the F-35 program transitioned to a sustainment phase, Australian industry would continue to contribute to the global supply chain.

However, in late 2023, this information was removed without explanation. The Department of Defence did not respond to inquiries regarding the deletion. Emails obtained by the Greens through a Freedom of Information request revealed plans to update the page with new content. On November 23, 2023, approval was granted to publish revised information about Australia's F-35 industry participation, but the page remains inaccessible, displaying a 404 error.

Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023, the Australian government has faced mounting pressure for increased transparency regarding its military exports, particularly concerning the F-35 program. Australia is one of several US-led partner countries supplying parts and components to a global supply chain utilized by Israel to maintain its F-35 jets. Following a UN commission's findings that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, scrutiny of Australia's involvement in the program has intensified.

Chris Sidoti, an Australian human rights expert who participated in the UN commission, emphasized the need to halt exports. "If components that are being manufactured here in Australia are finding their way into F-35 aircraft being used by Israel to bomb the hell out of Gaza, we share responsibility," he stated during a National Press Club address.

Experts have recreated a graphic that once appeared on the Defence website, illustrating the various locally-made components essential to the F-35's operation. More than 70 Australian companies are involved in the production and supply of spare parts for the aircraft, with many critical components manufactured in Victoria. RUAG Australia is identified as the sole supplier of the F-35's uplock actuator system, which facilitates the rapid opening and closing of bay doors for payload delivery.

Israel's F-35 jets require ongoing maintenance and parts from the global supply chain. The country receives continuous support from the F-35 program, which employs a "just-in-time" logistics model for spare parts delivery, typically coordinated by Lockheed Martin in the United States. Rob Wittman, head of the US F-35 Joint Program Office, informed Congress in December 2023 that efforts were underway to expedite support for Israel, including enhancing F-35 weapon capabilities and increasing spare parts supply rates.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has asserted that Australia only supplies non-lethal components for the F-35s, placing the responsibility for any transfers to Israel on US arms companies. "We do not supply those parts," Senator Wong stated. "They are supplied to Lockheed Martin as part of the F-35 supply chain." A Defence spokesperson reiterated that the global supply chain is centrally managed by Lockheed Martin and the US government.

David Shoebridge, the Greens' Defence and Foreign Affairs spokesperson, countered that claims of Australia having no influence over Lockheed Martin are misleading. "The government can absolutely change the terms of agreements and contracts when required to stop a genocide," he said.

The UN Human Rights Council has urged nations to take all necessary measures to prevent genocide in Gaza, including ceasing the transfer of arms and related equipment to Israel. Sidoti highlighted that being part of an international agreement with Lockheed Martin does not absolve Australia of its responsibilities. "We're talking about the components for F-35 fighter jets, which we know have been used by the Israeli military in Gaza since October 7, 2023," he said. "Regardless of the trade relationships, we have legal obligations."

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the use of F-35 jets in Gaza. Australian anaesthetist Saya Aziz, working at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza, noted the frequency of F-35 usage, stating that even children recognize the aircraft. "They call it the 'belts of fire,'" Dr. Aziz said. "As it's flying by, it continues to drop [bombs] and it literally shreds people. It shreds them."

Senator Shoebridge accused the government of attempting to obscure evidence of Australia's involvement in the F-35 program. "Right from the start of Israel's attack on Gaza, the Albanese government has known they are actively supporting Israel's military by sending them F-35 fighter jet parts," he said. He criticized the government for not halting the trade and instead choosing to hide the evidence.

The Australian Centre for International Justice, which is backing a legal bid by Palestinian human rights groups for records of Australia's arms exports to Israel, expressed concern over the removal of the F-35 website. Acting executive director Lara Khider stated that this raises further questions about transparency in the supply chain and Australian exports.

Any Australian company wishing to export military-related goods must obtain a permit from the Department of Defence, but the department does not disclose what items are exported or their intended purposes. Suzanne Varrall, a research fellow at the University of Melbourne, criticized the lack of information, stating it allows the government to evade accountability. "The government does not publish this information. The only way to get those details has been through FOI requests or answers to questions in Senate estimates," she said.

Attempts have been made to hold other F-35 partner countries accountable for their exports to Israel. In February 2024, a Dutch court ordered the government to block the supply of F-35 parts to Israel due to international law concerns. In June 2025, the UK High Court rejected a similar challenge but acknowledged a "clear risk" that components could be used in violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.

Josh Paul, a former director in the US State Department, stated that Australia has leverage to influence the situation. "What they could say is, 'We are not providing spare parts to the consortium unless we can be assured that they will not go to Israel,'" he said. "That would put pressure across the consortium that would make it very hard to ignore." Israel signed a new contract with the US in June 2022 to expand its F-35 fleet to 75 aircraft, with deliveries expected to begin in 2028. Paul, who resigned over US arms transfers to Israel, urged Australia to reconsider its involvement in the program.