San Francisco - Need a replacement part for an aging F-14?

You can find one on eBay.

That's the conclusion of a US government investigation that discovered sensitive American military equipment for sale to the highest bidder on the internet auction site eBay and the popular online listings site Craigslist.

EBay and Craigslist did not respond Friday to request for comment. But in congressional testimony, they have said it was impossible to monitor over 7 million new listings a day on eBay alone.

The Government Accountability Office report posted online said that undercover investigators managed to purchase one dozen items of a sensitive-military nature, "no questions asked."

They bought antennas for F-14 fighters which the report stated are in high demand in Iran.

Other items included body armour, and nuclear, biological and chemical protective gear gear on Craigslist, and special night vision goggles capable.

Many of the defence-related items were stolen from the US military and were likely to end up overseas, the report stated.

"Unauthorized individuals, companies, organization and other countries continue their attempts to obtain sensitive items related to the defense of the United States" which would pose a threat to national security, the subcommittee on national security and foreign affairs said in the report. (dpa)