UK Fails to Repair Grounded F-35 in India

(MENAFN) A British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter, which has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram Airport in southern India since June 14, will be disassembled and transported back to the UK, according to media, citing Indian government sources.

After a British field repair team was unable to resolve issues with the aircraft, the UK is now considering the option of airlifting the jet using a C-17 Globemaster transport plane, media reported. The aircraft, built by Lockheed Martin, is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group and had been engaged in operations in the Indo-Pacific region following joint exercises with the Indian Navy.

The fighter was forced to make an emergency diversion to Thiruvananthapuram on June 14 after encountering bad weather and suffering from low fuel levels and hydraulic issues. The Indian Air Force assisted in safely bringing the fighter to the airport. The pilot initially refused to exit the aircraft, a decision deemed standard procedure due to the advanced nature of the jet.

Last week, the British High Commission in New Delhi confirmed that the aircraft would be relocated to an Air India maintenance hangar once specialist teams and equipment arrived from the UK.

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