Three Weeks After F-35B Emergency Landing in Kerala, UK Sends Team to Repair Stranded Fighter Jet

New Delhi — Nearly three weeks after a UK F-35B Lightning II fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, the UK has dispatched a specialised team of technicians to India to carry out repairs and prepare the aircraft for relocation.

According to sources, more than a dozen British technicians have arrived in India for the complex repair operation.

Confirming the development, a British High Commission spokesperson said, “A UK engineering team has been deployed to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to assess and repair the UK F-35B aircraft, which carried out an emergency diversion landing.”

The spokesperson further added, “The UK has accepted the offer to use space within the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility and is currently working with relevant authorities to finalise the arrangements. As per standard procedure, the aircraft will be moved once the UK engineers, equipped with the necessary specialist tools, are ready to begin the process. The UK is grateful for the continued support and cooperation of Indian authorities and airport personnel.”

Since the emergency landing, the advanced fighter jet has remained grounded at the airport, with initial repair attempts proving unsuccessful due to the complex nature of the aircraft and the requirement for proprietary tools and expertise.

The incident occurred on June 14 when the F-35B, part of the UK's Carrier Strike Group aboard HMS Prince of Wales, was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Kerala after reportedly running low on fuel during a mission over the Indian Ocean.

The grounding of the cutting-edge jet attracted significant attention after repeated repair efforts failed to get the aircraft operational.

However, with the arrival of the UK technical team and specialised equipment, the situation is expected to progress.

British officials, however, have declined to disclose further operational details.

“We will not be providing ongoing commentary regarding repair timelines, technical processes, or private discussions with the Government of India,” the spokesperson stated.

With inputs from IANS