A crew from the UK has reportedly been unable to repair the aircraft for over 19 days

A British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter that has been grounded at Thiruvananthapuram Airport in southern India since June 14 will be dismantled and taken back to the UK, the News18 website reported, citing Indian government sources.

With a British field repair crew unable to fix the aircraft, the UK is now exploring the option of airlifting the jet aboard a C-17 Globemaster transport plane, according to NDTV. The jet, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group. It was engaged in operations in the Indo-Pacific region after conducting joint exercises with the Indian Navy.

On June 14, it made an emergency diversion to Thiruvananthapuram due to low fuel levels and hydraulic snags and landed at the city's airport after encountering bad weather. India's air force facilitated the safe touchdown of the fighter. The pilot initially refused to leave his plane, a move described as standard protocol since the jet is considered among the most advanced aircraft of its kind.

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Last week, the British High Commission in New Delhi said the fighter would be moved to an Air India maintenance hangar once specialist teams and equipment arrived from the UK.

Since being stranded in southern India, the plane has been a topic of ridicule and memes on social media among Indian users. Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the state of Kerala, a popular international tourist destination. On Wednesday, Kerala's tourism board posted an AI-generated image showing the plane surrounded by palm trees, suggesting that it was as charmed by the state as foreign tourists.

The Royal Air Force is expected to pay the airport authorities parking charges for the aircraft, which is valued at over $110 million. In February, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Washington, US President Donald Trump suggested that New Delhi buy the fifth generation F-35, produced by Lockheed Martin. Some defense analysts in India have recommend the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-57 as a better alternative for the country.

(RT.com)