NEW DELHI: A team of around 25 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 grounded at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14 following an emergency landing.
The aircraft, part of the UK Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, made an unscheduled landing due to an “engineering issue,” according to a British High Commission statement. The advanced fifth-generation stealth jet, valued at over $110 million, has since been stationed at Bay 4 under 24x7 CISF guard.
The jet was shifted to the airport’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility on Sunday after the arrival of the engineering team with specialised equipment. Officials said the relocation was carried out to minimise disruption to airport operations.
“The UK has accepted the offer of space in the MRO facility and is in discussions to finalise arrangements with the relevant authorities,” the High Commission said. “In line with standard procedure, the aircraft was moved following the arrival of the UK engineers.”
Airport officials and local agencies are providing logistical support to the visiting team, including meals and accommodation. The Indian Air Force is assisting with the repair efforts and overall coordination. Thiruvananthapuram is a designated emergency diversion site for British military aircraft operating in the region.
According to sources, the pilot and technical crew were moved to the airport’s Emergency Medical Centre after landing and not stationed beside the aircraft, as was claimed in some social media posts.
The British High Commission confirmed that the aircraft would resume service after the required repairs and safety checks. “Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. The UK remains very grateful for the continued support and collaboration of Indian authorities and airport teams,” the spokesperson said.
A preliminary assessment by UK engineers on board HMS Prince of Wales indicated that repairs could not be conducted on the carrier and would require support from specialists flown in from the UK. The F-35B, capable of short take-off and vertical landing, is designed for operations from aircraft carriers and forward bases.
Earlier this month, the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group had participated in joint exercises with the Indian Navy.
The aircraft, part of the UK Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, made an unscheduled landing due to an “engineering issue,” according to a British High Commission statement. The advanced fifth-generation stealth jet, valued at over $110 million, has since been stationed at Bay 4 under 24x7 CISF guard.
The jet was shifted to the airport’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility on Sunday after the arrival of the engineering team with specialised equipment. Officials said the relocation was carried out to minimise disruption to airport operations.
“The UK has accepted the offer of space in the MRO facility and is in discussions to finalise arrangements with the relevant authorities,” the High Commission said. “In line with standard procedure, the aircraft was moved following the arrival of the UK engineers.”
#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Stranded F-35B British fighter jet being moved to the hangar from its grounded position.
— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2025
A team of technical experts on board the British Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to assess the… pic.twitter.com/bL9pGrJzIs
Airport officials and local agencies are providing logistical support to the visiting team, including meals and accommodation. The Indian Air Force is assisting with the repair efforts and overall coordination. Thiruvananthapuram is a designated emergency diversion site for British military aircraft operating in the region.
According to sources, the pilot and technical crew were moved to the airport’s Emergency Medical Centre after landing and not stationed beside the aircraft, as was claimed in some social media posts.
The British High Commission confirmed that the aircraft would resume service after the required repairs and safety checks. “Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. The UK remains very grateful for the continued support and collaboration of Indian authorities and airport teams,” the spokesperson said.
A preliminary assessment by UK engineers on board HMS Prince of Wales indicated that repairs could not be conducted on the carrier and would require support from specialists flown in from the UK. The F-35B, capable of short take-off and vertical landing, is designed for operations from aircraft carriers and forward bases.
Earlier this month, the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group had participated in joint exercises with the Indian Navy.
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