Pentagon stops delivery of F-35 fighter jets after discovery of component manufactured in China

The Pentagon has halted the delivery of F-35 aircraft from Lockheed Martin Corp. after the manufacturer discovered a metal component used in the fighter jet's engine is coming from China.

The presence of the alloy violates federal defense acquisition rules, according to CNN.

However, the Pentagon says the magnet containing the alloy posed no security issue.

"We have confirmed that the magnet does not transmit information or harm the integrity of the aircraft and there are no performance, quality, safety, or security risks associated with this issue and flight operations for the F-35 in-service fleet will continue as normal," a Defense Department spokesperson said Wednesday.

The Pentagon also said Lockheed Martin has already found an alternative source of the alloy for future deliveries, which means the stoppage in deliveries will likely be only temporary.

The major defense contractor voluntarily reported the non-compliance, and a review is underway to determine how it happened. Lockheed Martin is reportedly scheduled to supply as many as 153 F-35s this year and has so far delivered 88.