US Navy confronts Russians after crashing $135 million stealth plane in international waters

A British F-35B jet crashed in international waters in the southern Mediterranean on Wednesday, and now the British and US militaries are working together to recover the plane containing sensitive technology. worth millions of dollars.

The F-35, the UK’s most advanced stealth fighter, is one of 18 aboard the Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.

8 belongs to the UK and 10 has been deployed by the US, according to Guardians.

Queen Elizabeth was returning from a deployment in the Far East when the jet plunged into water about a mile deep during takeoff, Independent reported.

NS The accident arrived during “routine flight operations”, according to the UK Ministry of Defense.

The pilot ejected from the plane and was safely returned to the ship.

A British F35 pilot from HMS Queen Elizabeth ejected during routine flight operations over the Mediterranean this morning.

The pilot was safely returned to the ship and an investigation has commenced, so it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.

– Ministry of Defense Press Office (@DefenceHQPress) November 17, 2021

However, an Anglo-American team is currently working to recover the high-tech fighter jet from an area frequented by Russian ships.

That would be a very valuable find for a hostile force.

The Independent reports that the F-35 is worth about 100 million pounds, or nearly $135 million.

The jet has a top speed of 1,200 mph and carries internal weapons to reduce drag, according to Net Force.

It is capable of taking off from short runways and landing vertically.

Britain bought 48 F-35s from Lockheed Martin for £6 billion. It currently has 24 units, the rest will be delivered in 2025.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The ability to fight from the sea with the most advanced fighter aircraft ever created is a pivotal moment in our history, providing reassurance to our allies. allies and demonstrate the United Kingdom’s formidable air power to our adversaries,” British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in June. CNN.

The plane crashed near North Africa. British Army Sources said “appropriate action” would be taken if any non-allied forces attempted to reach the wreckage, the Independent reported.

The US Navy unit involved in the salvage operation is based in Spain and specializes in undersea salvage.