The UK’s F-35B aircraft, which remains stranded at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, cannot be repaired at the location, top government sources told CNN-News18, adding that the aircraft would be dismantled.
Sources also said the British Navy will now bring a bigger aircraft to shift the jet, and that they would pay all dues to India, including the parking and hangar charges.
The aircraft suffered a snag in its hydraulic system, which later progressed to the starting system, sources said.
The parts which would be dismantled were not immediately known. However, a rectification team from the UK was being dispatched.
The F-35B aircraft has been awaiting repairs after it experienced an engineering issue and made an emergency landing in Kerala on the night of June 14.
Last week, news agency ANI quoted an official as saying that the “UK F-35B aircraft is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after developing an engineering issue. The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facility at the airport.”
“The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft,” he said.
In a statement, the British High Commission had said ground teams were closely working with the Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed while the jet’s necessary repairs and safety checks were being planned.
