F35 Fighter Jet EXPOSED Can India Really Afford It? | Indian Defence Update

Summary

A British F-35 fighter jet, touted as the world’s most advanced, has been stranded at an airport in Kerala, India due to technical malfunctions. Despite initial reports of a fuel shortage, it was later revealed that a hydraulic issue caused the emergency landing. Speculation surrounds why the aircraft couldn’t return to its carrier just 100 nautical miles away and if the Indian Air Force tracked it. As the F-35 remains grounded under armed guard, questions about its costly development and reliability surface, with growing debates on the value of the F-35 program in light of its safety record and strategic implications for India’s defense capabilities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The British F-35 fighter jet has been stranded at an airport in Kerala, India due to technical issues.
• 😀 Despite efforts by UK Navy technicians, the F-35 remains grounded with a hydraulic failure preventing it from returning to its aircraft carrier.
• 😀 The aircraft has been partially dismantled, with its wings expected to be removed and flown back to the UK by a military transport aircraft.
• 😀 Speculation surrounds the reasons behind the emergency landing, including questions about its low fuel, armament, and whether India forced the landing.
• 😀 The Indian Air Force (IAF) tracked the F-35 using its integrated air defense system, which has sparked interest in India’s ability to detect stealth aircraft.
• 😀 The F-35’s stranding in India raises concerns over its operational reliability, as the jet has been involved in multiple crashes over the years.
• 😀 Elon Musk criticized the F-35 program, calling it the 'worst military value for money in history,' citing its complexity and high cost.
• 😀 The F-35 program is the most expensive military project in history, with over $1.7 trillion spent on its development and production.
• 😀 The F-35B variant, valued at over $100 million, is part of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group, which has conducted joint naval exercises with the Indian Navy.
• 😀 Despite the F-35's technological prowess, its inability to return to its carrier has drawn attention to the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of such advanced military hardware.

Q & A

Why is the British F-35 grounded in Kerala, India?

The British F-35 is grounded in Kerala after making an emergency landing due to low fuel. After this, the aircraft experienced a hydraulic failure, preventing it from returning to its aircraft carrier, and it remains stuck at the airport for repairs.

What caused the British F-35 to make an emergency landing in Kerala?

The F-35 made an emergency landing due to low fuel. After landing, it encountered a hydraulic failure, preventing it from taking off again and returning to the aircraft carrier.

Why has the F-35 not been moved to a hangar in Kerala?

The British authorities refused to move the F-35 to a hangar due to concerns that its sensitive technology could be compromised. Instead, the aircraft has been left exposed to the elements, with an armed guard keeping watch.

What role did the Indian Air Force (IAF) play in the F-35's emergency landing?

The Indian Air Force provided vital support to the British F-35, including refueling the aircraft to ensure it could land safely after declaring an emergency due to low fuel. The IAF tracked the aircraft's distress signal and authorized the unscheduled landing.

Why is there speculation about India’s ability to track the F-35?

There is speculation because the IAF claimed to have tracked the F-35, despite it being a stealth fighter jet. This raised questions about whether India could track other stealth jets, like China's J-35, which Pakistan is reportedly acquiring.

What is the significance of the F-35’s issues in the context of its cost?

The F-35 has a troubled safety record, with nearly 31 crashes in its two decades of service, despite being the most expensive military project in history, costing over $1.7 trillion. This raises concerns about its reliability, especially considering its high development and production costs.

How did Elon Musk respond to the F-35 program?

Elon Musk criticized the F-35 program, calling it the 'worst military value for money in history.' He argued that the F-35's design was fundamentally flawed due to its need to serve multiple roles, making it expensive, complex, and inefficient.

What is the F-35's role within the UK Navy?

The F-35 is a crucial component of the UK's naval capabilities, specifically for the HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group. It represents the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the Joint Strike Fighter family, designed for operations from aircraft carriers.

What are the capabilities of the F-35 that make it a highly advanced fighter jet?

The F-35 integrates stealth technology, radar-absorbing materials, advanced sensors, and an internal weapons bay. It can operate undetected at supersonic speeds and deliver precision strikes with minimal exposure to enemy radar, making it one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world.

Why is the F-35's technology considered sensitive and classified?

The F-35 uses cutting-edge stealth and sensor technology, including radar-absorbing materials and advanced combat systems, which are considered highly sensitive and classified. The British authorities are particularly concerned about potential security breaches that could expose these secrets.