UK's F-35B carrier jets are stranded in India, to disassemble or not? According to multiple reports by Global Times, the UK's "Prince of Wales" aircraft carrier is conducting its second so-called cruise and display in the Asia-Pacific. Previously, the "Queen Elizabeth" aircraft carrier had an unsmooth time in the Asia-Pacific, and now it is a bad start for both aircraft carriers. Because the "Queen Elizabeth" aircraft carrier once carried F-35B in the Mediterranean and fell into the sea, and it is still unknown whether it has been salvaged up to now.

This time, the "Prince of Wales" also took the F-35B for a cruise in the Asia-Pacific, but it was a bad start. During the carrier aircraft takeoff and landing operations near India, due to complex weather and fuel shortages, it finally had to land at an Indian airport. After inspection by British experts, it was found that it was not only a weather issue or a fuel problem, but the hydraulic system had issues. According to the maintenance of US carrier aircraft and other weapons equipment, it needs to enter a US exclusive network, but India does not have this network. Therefore, if a series of self-inspections are conducted to investigate the cause and location of the failure, this point is a blind spot.

The British pilots and the entire maintenance team sat on a chair around the aircraft, and were at a loss until now. Now the aircraft carrier has reached Singapore, but the carrier aircraft is still in India, and it is a big problem how to deal with it. Moreover, due to the mutual suspicion between India and the UK, no Indian person is allowed to approach the F-35B fighter jet, neither the US nor the UK agrees. So when Trump confidently promoted the F-35 to India, and was rejected, now the F-35B's treatment in India is not good.

If India uses measurement and imitation technology and other technologies to dismantle it, or to observe it closely, it would be easy to find stealth materials, stealth structures, and other elements related to stealth fighters. Especially since India is also building fifth-generation aircraft, if they imitate the form of F-35B, it could be a shortcut. However, although the US and the UK officially treat India as an ally, in reality, they do not really treat it as an ally, and no one is allowed to approach the F-35B fighter jet. The confidentiality work is very strong, which also shows that the alliance relationship can be overturned like a small boat, and they will not share the most core and important aviation weapons equipment.

The UK has made a big mess this time. If the carrier aircraft is in its current state, it cannot take off or land. Next time, if the aircraft carrier takes a long time to return to the Indian coastline, this plane can find the mother ship by visual means. Now, the cause, whether there are problems with the hydraulic system and other systems, are all questions. So it is hard to say how this plane will leave. The most likely option is to disassemble it, and then transport it back to the UK with the joint efforts of British and American engineers using C-17 transport planes. There seem to be few other options.

If the aircraft carrier can dock in India, after dismantling, it can be lifted onto the carrier with a crane, which is also an option. In any case, this embarrassment is huge. Originally, it wanted to show off globally, and to demonstrate the strength of the UK through American weapons equipment, but now it has completely gone wrong. So what he said about bad weather, strong waves, and fuel shortages, are all excuses. The main reason is that the aircraft itself has major defects.

According to the current number of carrier aircraft carried by the "Prince of Wales" and the many faults, it is hard to say what role this aircraft carrier can play in the Asia-Pacific. No matter what, being landed in India and guarded with guns drawn shows that the relationship between the US, the UK, and India is not that great.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7521698646086189618/

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