Grounded for over a month, the British Royal Navy’s F-35B fighter plane has been cleared for takeoff. Multiple media reports say that the combat jet is set to fly out of India tomorrow.
Reports indicate that the plane is being moved from the hangar to the bay, and experts say that all repairs have been completed. However, it is still not clear whether the plane will be dismantled and flown out in a C-17 transport aircraft.
A Times of India report said that a team of engineers and aviation experts from the US, UK, and defence giant Lockheed Martin have been working on the faulty hydraulic system.
The glitch could not be resolved despite maintenance work by the first batch of engineers. To resolve the issue, a second group of experts was flown in on July 14.
The F-35B is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group. The combat jet was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Thiruvananthapuram due to the technical snag. The aircraft was part of the Indo-UK military exercise in the Pacific.
The most expensive fighter jet in the world, priced at $110 million, is known for several advanced stealth features. This is believed to be the reason why the British team reportedly did not accept help from their Indian counterparts.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
