F-35B Jet Remains Grounded In Kerala; Towing Gear, Support Team Being Flown From UK
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A UK Royal Navy F-35B jet that made an emergency landing in Kerala on June 14 remains grounded, with British engineers and towing equipment being flown in for repairs.
The F-35B fighter jet of the UK's Royal Navy, which has remained stranded in Kerala for nearly a fortnight now, will now reportedly be moved to a repair hangar with the help of a special towing equipment.
According to a report with the Kerala-based English newspaper Onmanorama, a specialist towing equipment is being flown in from the United Kingdom to move the jet to the Air India Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hangar.
Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft, and it was decided that the support of a UK-based engineering team was needed.
On Wednesday, British authorities said efforts were 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.
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.
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