F-35 stranded in Kerala: UK technicians arrive to repair stranded fighter jet; grounded since June 14
NEW DELHI: A team of UK aviation engineers arrived in Kerala on Sunday aboard a Royal Air Force Airbus A400M to begin repair work on a British F-35B Lightning fighter jet that has remained stranded at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14 following an emergency landing.
According to PTI, the British High Commission said the aircraft, part of the UK Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, developed an 'engineering issue' that forced the unscheduled landing. The jet, worth over $110 million, is now set to be moved to the airport's Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.
'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,' a British High Commission spokesperson said.
Officials confirmed that the jet could not return to the carrier due to rough sea conditions. A preliminary assessment by engineers aboard HMS Prince of Wales concluded that repairs required specialised UK-based personnel and tools.
The F-35B is the world's only fifth-generation stealth fighter capable of short take-off and vertical landing, designed for operations from smaller carriers and austere airfields.
Security around the aircraft remains tight. An armed Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) detachment continues to guard the jet, parked at Bay 4 of the airport. Thiruvananthapuram airport officials have coordinated with local agencies to provide logistical support, including meals and accommodation for the visiting technical crew.
Contrary to social media reports, the pilot was not stationed beside the aircraft post-landing but was relocated to the terminal's Emergency Medical Centre along with technicians for rest, according to sources.
The Indian Air Force had earlier said it was providing all necessary assistance for the "rectification and subsequent return" of the jet. Thiruvananthapuram is a designated emergency diversion site for British military aircraft operating in the region.
The British High Commission said the aircraft would resume service after all necessary repairs and safety checks. "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.
The HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group had participated in joint exercises with the Indian Navy earlier this month.
(Inputs from PTI)
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