Kerala: UK's F-35B Fighter Jet, Stranded At Thiruvananthapuram Airport, Moved After 23 Days

The British F-35B fighter jet, grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14, is being moved, reported ANI on Sunday. A technical team from the UK arrived earlier to address the issue. The aircraft had made an emergency landing due to low fuel and rough sea conditions preventing its return to the carrier.

Technical Team's Arrival

A group of aviation engineers from the UK reached Kerala aboard the British Royal Force A400M Atlas. Their mission is to repair the F-35B Lightning jet belonging to Britain's Royal Navy. The aircraft has been stranded since last month following its emergency landing.

The British High Commission confirmed that they accepted an offer to move the plane to a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility. Discussions with relevant authorities are ongoing to finalise these arrangements. The spokesperson expressed gratitude for the support from Indian authorities and airport teams.

Repair and Movement Plans

The engineering team brought specialised equipment necessary for moving and repairing the jet. "A UK engineering team has deployed to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to assess and repair the UK F-35B aircraft, which landed following an emergency diversion," stated a British High Commission spokesperson.

The F-35B, valued over $110 million, is renowned for its short take-off and vertical landing capabilities. This makes it suitable for operations from smaller decks, austere bases, and ships. It remains guarded by a six-member team from HMS Prince of Wales at the airport bay.

Initially, engineers were expected on July 2, but their visit was delayed for unspecified reasons. The UK remains appreciative of India's cooperation in this matter as they work towards resolving the technical issues affecting their advanced fighter jet.