Lightning delays fighter jet arrival

Lightning delays fighter jet arrival

The delivery of three Gripen fighter jets purchased by the air force has been delayed after one of them was struck by lightning en route to Thailand.

The air force bought a total of 12 Gripen jets from Sweden, and the last three were scheduled to be delivered on Tuesday.

The three jets departed Sweden on Aug 30 and were due to arrive at Wing 7 in Surat Thani on Tuesday evening.

However, air force deputy chief Permkiat Lawanaman said Swedish pilots had informed him that one of the jets was hit by lightning while flying over India on the way to Thailand. No one was injured in the incident, but one of the jet's wings was slightly damaged.

The three jets are now at an airport in India, ACM Permkiat said.

He said the lightning strike forced the delivery of the three jets to be postponed to 11am on Wednesday.

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