UK Navy Declines Air India’s Hangar Space Offer To Park Grounded F-35B: Sources

New Delhi:

The Royal Navy’s crown jewel F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, which has been parked in the open in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram for six days, will not be moved inside a hangar, as requested by the British navy, sources said.

The American-origin F-35B – the most expensive fighter jet in terms of programme cost – is packed with advanced technologies that Britain may not want others to take a closer look at, sources said, adding this could be one of the reasons why the Royal Navy declined Air India’s offer to allocate hangar space to park the aircraft, away from the elements.

It is highly likely that concerns over “protected technologies” may have delayed any decision on the Royal Navy’s part to take the F-35B inside a hangar.

While they have so far declined the offer, they may consider moving it inside the hangar for a final inspection and repair, sources said.