UK Navy Declines Air India Hangar Offer for Grounded F-35B Over Tech Secrecy Concerns: Sources

Thiruvananthapuram, India:
The Royal Navy has reportedly turned down Air India’s offer to provide hangar space for its F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, which has been stranded at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for six days. Sources indicate that the decision may be rooted in the British military’s concerns over safeguarding the aircraft’s cutting-edge technologies.

The American-made F-35B, a cornerstone of the Royal Navy’s air power, is among the most advanced and costly fighter jets ever built. Given its highly classified systems and stealth technology, British officials may be wary of exposing the aircraft to environments outside their control — even within a hangar offered by a commercial airline.

Although the Royal Navy has so far declined Air India’s assistance, sources say they might consider moving the aircraft indoors temporarily for final inspections and repairs.

The aircraft, part of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group, was forced to make an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14, citing low fuel. The UK task force had just wrapped up joint maritime drills with the Indian Navy in the Indo-Pacific region.

Since the unexpected landing, British aviation engineers have been working around the clock to fix a hydraulic issue that has kept the aircraft grounded. However, the snag remains unresolved, and the fighter jet continues to occupy a spot on the tarmac under tight security.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed it was an emergency landing and has been assisting the British crew with required support. Royal Navy technicians and the jet’s pilot remain at the airport, working on resolving the issue before it can safely return to the Prince of Wales.

News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.