New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) As an F-35B fighter jet of the UK’s Royal Navy remained stranded in Kerala for over 10 days, British authorities on Wednesday said efforts are underway to repair the aircraft.
The jet, worth over USD 110 million and known to be one of the most advanced fighters globally, made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14.
The aircraft is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the UK’s Royal Navy.
“We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram international airport as quickly as possible,” a British high commission spokesperson said.
“We thank the Indian Authorities for their continued support,” the official said.
The aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions.
Prioritising safety, the aircraft was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram international airport where it landed safely.
The aircraft has subsequently developed an engineering issue while on the ground which precluded its return to the carrier, it is learnt.
Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft and it was decided that the support of a UK-based engineering team was needed.
To minimise disruptions to the regular airport operations, the aircraft will be moved to a space in the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility hangar once specialist equipment and UK engineering teams arrive, people familiar with the matter said.
Days after the fighter jet’s emergency landing, the Indian Air Force said it was providing all necessary support for the “rectification and subsequent return” of the aircraft.
The HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group carried out military drills with the Indian Navy earlier this month.
The F-35B is the only fifth generation fighter jet with short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, making it ideal for operating from smaller decks, austere bases and ships.
Known simply as the ‘Lightning’ in British service, the F-35 model is the short take off/vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the fighter jet that is designed to operate from short-field bases and air-capable ships.
(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)
