UK to move stranded F-35 stealth combat jet to local airport in Kerala for repairs; experts to arrive soon
The F-35B stealth combat jet of the Royal Navy, stranded at Kerela's Thiruvananthapuram airport since 14 June, will be moved to the local maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for repairs, Hindustan Times quoted a British high commission spokesperson as saying.
Despite several attempts to fix the £85-million jet, they were unsuccessful. Ever since the F-35B stealth combat jet of the Royal Navy made an emergency landing after reporting low fuel levels, it has been on the tarmac.
On 14 June, the bad weather prevented the jet from returning to the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, which was 100 nautical miles off the Kerala coast. Following this, the F-35B jet subsequently developed a hydraulic failure that prevented it from taking off.
A British high commission spokesperson said the F-35B jet is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport after developing an 'engineering issue'.
'The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the maintenance repair and overhaul facility at the airport. The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft,' HT quoted the spokesperson as saying.
Once repaired, the jet will return to service once repairs and safety checks have been completed, the spokesperson said.
'Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram international airport for their continued support,' the spokesperson added.
According to the details, the F-35B jet is part of the carrier strike group accompanying the HMS Prince of Wales. On 14 June, the Indian Air Force (IAF) facilitated the safe landing of the jet and later provided refuelling and logistical support.
The jet is now parked at a bay designated for VIP aircraft and is being guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
UK engineers arriving in Kerala to repair stranded F-35B jet
NEW DELHI: Aviation engineers from the UK are arriving in Thiruvananthapuram to repair an F-35B Lightning jet of Britain's Royal Navy as the aircraft continued to be stranded after making an emergency landing 12 days ago. The aircraft is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the UK's Royal Navy. The jet, worth over USD 110 million and known to be one of the most advanced fighters globally, made the emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14. The aircraft is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport after developing an engineering issue, a British High Commission spokesperson said on Friday. The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. "The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft," the spokesperson said. The F-35B is the only fifth generation fighter jet with short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, making it ideal for operating from smaller decks, austere bases and ships. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The official said the aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed. "Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram international airport for their continued support." The aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions. Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft and it was decided that the support of UK-based engineering teams was needed. Days after the aircraft's emergency landing, the Indian Air Force said it was providing all necessary support for the "rectification and subsequent return" of the aircraft. The HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group carried out military drills with the Indian Navy earlier this month. Known simply as the 'Lightning' in British service, the F-35 model is the short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the fighter jet that is designed to operate from short-field bases and air-capable ships.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
UK's F35-B at Thiruvananthapuram Airport moved to MRO facility
New Delhi: The fifth generation F35-B fighter that has been stranded at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport after diverting from a British aircraft carrier due to a snag, has now been moved to a repair facility. A British high commission spokesperson said the UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. "The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to the scheduled maintenance of other aircraft," the spokesperson said. The advanced jet had to divert to the Indian airport after developing a serious in-flight emergency . While the nature of the technical fault has not been disclosed, it appears to be of a complex nature given that the jet has been stranded for nearly two weeks. "The aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed. Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed," the spokesperson said.
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- India Gazette
UK F-35B awaits repairs at Thiruvananthapuram airport after engineering issue, says British High Commission
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 27 (ANI): A UK F-35B aircraft is currently awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after experiencing an engineering issue, a British High Commission spokesperson confirmed. 'A UK F-35B aircraft is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after developing an engineering issue. The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft,' the spokesperson said. The aircraft is expected to return to active service after the necessary repairs and safety checks are completed. In a statement, the British High Commission added, 'Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for their continued support.' British authorities on Thursday expressed gratitude to India following the emergency landing of the British F-35B fighter jet at Thiruvananthapuram airport nearly a fortnight ago. 'We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. We thank the Indian Authorities for their continued support,' the spokesperson said. The UK aircraft was unable to return to UK Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions. Prioritising safety, the aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India, where it landed safely. While on the ground, the aircraft developed an engineering issue that precluded its return to the Carrier. Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the situation and determined that assistance from a UK-based engineering team was required. According to the UK High Commission, the aircraft will be relocated to a space in the maintenance repair and overhaul facility hangar once the necessary equipment and personnel arrive. Throughout this diversion incident, the UK has worked in close coordination with Indian authorities. 'Throughout this diversion incident, we have worked closely with all Indian authorities, including the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and are extremely grateful for their support,' the High Commission said. The statement further highlighted the continued security and organisational support provided by India, underlining the growing cooperation and strong relationship between the armed forces of both nations. Earlier, the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed that a British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on the night of June 14. In a post on X, the IAF stated, 'A Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 25. Operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield.' 'On having declared a diversion off an emergency, the F-35B was detected and identified by the IAF's IACCS network and cleared for the recovery. IAF is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft,' the IAF added. (ANI)
