UK's F-35B Stealth Fighter Jet Stranded At Thiruvananthapuram Airport Likely To Airlifted By C-17 Globemaster Transport Aircraft: Report
Thiruvananthapuram: The United Kingdom's F-35B, which has remained stranded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for nineteen days, is likely to be airlifted by a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, reported NDTV. The stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing at the airport on June 15 after it developed a technical glitch.
Some reports claimed that the state-of-the-art fighter jet is beyond repair. The F-35B took off from the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. The aircraft carrier is currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific.
Despite multiple attempts, the aircraft could not be repaired. As per the the British High Commission, the fighter jet had to make emergency landing due to "adverse weather conditions".
UK authorities said that the aircraft developed "an engineering issue" and it could not fly back. "A UK F-35 aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions. Prioritising safety, the aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India, where it landed safely. The aircraft has subsequently developed an engineering issue whilst on the ground which precluded its return to the Carrier," the High Commission said as reported by the media house.
The jet, worth over USD 110 million and known to be one of the most advanced fighters globally, made the emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14. Last week, the UK accepted India's offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport.
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.
The HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group carried out military drills with the Indian Navy earlier this month.
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