SOURCE: AFI
A British Royal Navy F-35B jet has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for the past five days, parked in an open area due to the Royal Navy’s refusal to authorize Indian authorities to move the aircraft into a hangar. According to sources from idrw.org, India offered to relocate the jet to a hangar to facilitate repairs by a British technical team that arrived on the third day from the UK. However, the offer was declined, leaving the advanced fighter jet exposed to the elements.
The situation has been complicated by heavy monsoon rains, which have prevented the British team from conducting necessary repairs on the aircraft. Despite the Indian Air Force (IAF) proposing a temporary shed to shield the ground crew and enable repair work, this offer was also rejected by the Royal Navy. The reasons for these refusals remain unclear, raising questions about operational or diplomatic concerns.
As the jet remains grounded in a less busy section of the airport, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been deployed to guard the aircraft, ensuring its security. The prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions could potentially affect the jet’s sophisticated systems, adding urgency to the situation.
This incident highlights the complexities of international military cooperation and the challenges of maintaining high-tech equipment in adverse conditions. Neither the British Royal Navy nor Indian authorities have issued official statements on the matter, leaving room for speculation about the underlying reasons for the standoff. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on when and how the repairs will be completed to get the F-35B back in the air.
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