British F-35B fighter jet has been stranded in Kerala since June 14 and has developed “engineering issues”, UK High Commission has said.
The British High Commission on Wednesday said that its F-35B fighter jet, which made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14, developed engineering issues whilst on the ground, precluding its return to the aircraft carrier.
This comes as the American-made British fighter plane has been grounded for over 10 days in India and is unable to return to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier.
In a statement, the High Commission said that the advanced fifth-generation aircraft would be repaired in Kerala, for which a team from the United Kingdom will arrive in India.
“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 UK High Commission said.
“Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft, and it was decided that the support of a UK-based engineering team was needed. At this time, we do not have a forecast for the aircraft being repaired. 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,” it added.
The High Commission also said that the UK government has been coordinating with the Indian government and the Indian Air Force and Navy, along with the airport authorities.
The advanced fifth-generation fighter jet, which is part of the Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group sent to the Indo-Pacific, was heading back to its base after finishing joint sea exercises with the Indian Navy. According to officials, the jet couldn’t return to the aircraft carrier on the night of June 14 because of bad weather in the area. To ensure safety, the jet was redirected to Thiruvananthapuram airport, where it landed safely.