British Fighter Jet Stuck in India for Over Three Weeks
A 14-member team of engineers from the UK has arrived in India to assess a British fighter jet that has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram airport for more than three weeks. The F-35B landed on June 14 after bad weather forced it to divert during a mission over the Indian Ocean.
After experiencing a technical issue, the jet could not return to its carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, the flagship of the Royal Navy. Its extended stay in India has raised eyebrows, leaving many wondering how such a modern aircraft could be stuck abroad for this long.
Prior to the arrival of the UK team, engineers from the HMS Prince of Wales had attempted to evaluate and repair the aircraft but were unsuccessful. Recently, the British High Commission announced that a group of specialists, equipped with tools for repairs and movement, had been dispatched to the airport.
Footage from Indian news agencies captured a British Royal Air Force Airbus landing in Thiruvananthapuram to deliver the repair team. The F-35B was shown being towed to a hangar. The High Commission had previously accepted an offer to move the aircraft to a dedicated maintenance facility but was waiting for equipment to arrive from the UK.
The F-35B is a cutting-edge stealth fighter developed by Lockheed Martin, celebrated for its ability to take off and land vertically. Each jet is valued at around $110 million and is being closely monitored by six RAF officers.
The situation with the stranded jet has also come up in the UK Parliament, reflecting its significance. Meanwhile, in India, images of the jet sitting idle amidst the Kerala monsoon have sparked humor on social media, with some joking that the F-35B may not want to leave the beautiful state, often referred to as “God’s own country.”
Experts warn that if the engineers cannot make the jet fly-ready, it may have to be dismantled and transported out via a larger cargo aircraft, like the C-17 Globemaster.
