THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
The Royal Navy is reportedly working with the Americans to recover the stricken £100 million UK warplane that saw its pilot eject from the aircraft.
Elsewhere it was reported that Russia is now paying 'close attention' to the UK's flagship aircraft carrier in the region.
The pilot was part of the UK’s HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier strike force, which was practising for war.
It is believed the pilot is recovering and back on the ship following the crash which happened at 10am on Wednesday. He was rescued after an emergency operation was launched.
An MoD spokesperson said: “A British F-35 pilot from HMS Queen Elizabeth ejected during routine flying operations in the Mediterranean this morning.
“The pilot has been safely returned to the ship and an investigation has begun, so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
According to navy sources in The Times, the operation has called on the US for help and is set to involve deep water remote-controlled vehicles.
The UK is believed to have the equipment and manpower to rescue the destroyed £120million aircraft but their Nato allies were reportedly closer.
Once the F-35 is found they will attach huge inflatable bags so it rises to the surface on its own.
The source added the military were yet to pinpoint exactly where the aircraft had gone down and were still gathering the equipment needed to recover it.
They are working to recover the F-35B Lightning II from more than a mile below the surface.
The operation, shrouded in secrecy, is understood to involve divers, miniature submarines and inflatable bags which may be used to lift the plane to the surface of the Mediterranean.
