India’s advice has finally been accepted by the UK as the F-35 fighter jet will be moved to the Air India hangar unit at Thiruvananthapuram airport. The British government’s decision to airlift the aircraft back to the UK has been dropped, primarily due to multiple practical challenges. If the aircraft remains inoperable, the most likely alternative is that the UK will dispatch a C-17 Globemaster or another heavy-lift transport aircraft to recover it. Reports suggest that the UK is monitoring the aircraft via satellite, ensuring that any unauthorized approach is immediately detected.
As the aircraft belongs to the British Royal Navy, it is still undecided whether India will charge a parking fee. India had initially requested the UK to move the jet to the hangar just hours after it landed on June 15. British officials have now clarified that there are no obstacles to relocating the jet 12 days later, following the arrival of technical experts. At Thiruvananthapuram airport, parking fees are calculated based on the aircraft’s maximum take-off weight. For the F-35B, which weighs around 27 tonnes, the estimated parking fee is Rs 26,261 per day, adding up to approximately ₹3.15 lakh for 12 days. This is seen as a minor amount in the context of overall operations.
The Indian Air Force is currently extending full support to the British team, including fuel and accommodation. In light of the strong defence partnership between India and the UK, the Government of India is bearing the costs associated with the aircraft’s stay. The jet, which is of high strategic value, is presently parked at ‘Bay 4’, a space reserved for VIP aircraft at the airport. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is providing tight security. However, this has created complications for the landing of other VIP flights, prompting the proposal to shift the aircraft to a hangar.
Initially, the Royal Navy had declined the offer to move the jet to the Air India hangar, citing concerns over protecting the aircraft’s stealth technology and other classified components. However, India insisted on the shift due to mounting logistical difficulties, and the UK has now agreed. The fault in the aircraft can be rectified without disrupting other maintenance activities within the hangar unit. The jet will be relocated once British technical experts arrive to fix the issue.
The F-35 made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram on June 15. Engineers from the Royal Navy and from Lockheed Martin, the American manufacturer of the aircraft, are expected to arrive soon to address the malfunction. They have already sought permission from the Indian government for their travel. Reports indicate that the jet suffered a hydraulic system failure. Although engineers from HMS Prince of Wales, currently stationed 100 nautical miles offshore, attempted repairs, the fault could not be resolved.
Indian radar systems detected the F-35 the moment it entered Indian airspace, challenging previous US claims that the fifth-generation fighter jet could evade radar and reach targets undetected. This incident has triggered widespread debate over those assertions.
Media reports suggest that British officials have no concerns about the security of the jet’s sensitive technology and have expressed gratitude to India for its safeguarding efforts.
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