RAF surveillance jets kept out of battle for Mosul as fleet is grounded by wiring fault that can ’cause fires’
Nato allies stepping in to fight ISIS forces after dodgy wiring is discovered during routine checks on E-3D spy aircraft
A FLEET of RAF Sentry spy planes has been grounded over an electrical wiring fault, denting the mission to liberate Mosul.
The six-strong fleet of E-3D aircraft will be out of action for weeks after the glitch was discovered during routine safety checks.
RAF officials admitted the Sentry should be backing the current mission to liberate the Iraqi city from ISIS.
NATO allies are now having to step in and fill the gap on operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, where the Sentry has conducted scores of missions.
It is the second time in four years a technical issue has grounded the Sentry. The dodgy wiring being blamed this time can cause fires.
An RAF spokesman said: “Safety remains our paramount concern, therefore the fleet will only fly again once the ongoing rectification work is complete.”
E-3Ds, which have an iconic dish attached to the roof, conduct surveillance operations and help to orchestrate air campaigns.
The fault was uncovered a fortnight ago and the planes should be fully operational “over the coming weeks”.
The Sentry was due to be taken out of service in 2025 before being given a ten-year extension.
Meanwhile in Mosul, Peshmerga forces are now battling ISIS killers inside a town north-east of the city.
Hundreds of Peshmerga fighters, backed by artillery and US-led coalition air strikes, advanced on Bashiqa from three directions on Monday morning.
Iraq’s second city Mosul has been held by ISIS since 2014, and remains home to around 1.5million locals.
The offensive on Mosul has been backed from the skies by Reaper drones, RAF Tornado war jets and Typhoons.