British royal navy f-35b: A state-of-the-art F-35B stealth fighter jet of Britain’s Royal Navy has been standing at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala for the last 7 days. This jet landed at around 9:30 pm on the night of 14 June. Initially, the reason for its landing was stated to be the lack of fuel.
The fighter aircraft was flying from a British aircraft carrier called HMS Prince of Wales and was involved in regular training flight outside India’s Air Defense Identification Region (ADIZ). Meanwhile, Jet was diverted towards Thiruvananthapuram, which was already identified as an emergency recovery airfield.
Indian Air Force provided immediate assistance
Indian Air Force (IAF) officials said that the aircraft made safe landing and all necessary cooperation including fuel was provided immediately. But before the flight, the hydraulic system failed in the jet, due to which he could not fly again.
Technical team sent
A technical team from the British aircraft carrier was deployed to repair the jet, but could not succeed in correcting technical faults. Now there is a preparation to send a large technical team from Britain to Kerala, which will do the necessary technical repair work in the aircraft.
Fighter jet can be returned by military cargo aircraft
If the solution of the problem is not possible at the repair site, then the authorities have indicated that this high -technical fighter jet can be taken back through military cargo aircraft. This process will depend on the status and technical evaluation of the aircraft.
Process of technical approval and cooperation continues
Thiruvananthapuram Airport officials had already confirmed that there has been a technical flaw since landing in the aircraft. At present, Indian officials are waiting for the formal approval to fill additional fuel, so that the aircraft can be prepared for flight when the repair work is completed.
Questions raised on strategic and technical coordination
The incident of this advanced jet getting into an emergency on Indian earth and then stuck for a long time due to technical reasons has given rise to many important questions related to security cooperation, emergency management and military coordination between the two countries. However, defense officers of India and Britain are active in handling this sensitive situation together.