The UK's F-35B fighter jet has been grounded at Thiruvananthapuram Airport since June 15 due to a technical fault, following an emergency landing. An engineering team from Britain has arrived in India for repairs.
UK F-35B Aircraft: The UK Navy's advanced F-35B fighter jet has been at Thiruvananthapuram Airport since June 15. It was forced to make an emergency landing due to a technical fault and bad weather. An engineering team from the UK has now arrived to repair the aircraft and begin the recovery process. The British High Commission has expressed gratitude for India's cooperation.
Aircraft Grounded at Airport After Emergency Landing
The UK Navy's F-35B fighter jet was on a routine training flight on June 14. On June 15, it made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport due to a technical problem and bad weather. Since the incident, the aircraft has been stationed in the airport's flight hangar. The aircraft is currently considered unfit for flight.
Engineering Team Arrives from Britain
According to the British High Commission, an engineering team has been sent from the UK to India to assess the aircraft's condition and carry out the necessary repairs. This team is working in collaboration with Indian engineers and technical experts. The team has brought specialized equipment that will assist in preparing the aircraft for flight again.
Repair and Overhaul Process Begins
The UK has accepted the proposal for a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility offered by India. Coordination between the two countries is underway to finalize the repair process. As per standard procedure, the aircraft will be moved to the repair site.
British High Commission Expresses Gratitude
A spokesperson for the British High Commission thanked the Indian government and airport authorities, stating that India had provided full cooperation not only during the emergency landing but also in the recovery process. They added that the UK appreciates this partnership and cooperation.
Unable to Land at Sea, Route Changed Out of Necessity
The fighter jet was scheduled to land on a UK Navy aircraft carrier at sea during the flight. However, despite several attempts, landing was not possible due to bad weather. As a result, the aircraft's fuel level decreased. Given the situation, the pilot requested permission to land at Thiruvananthapuram Airport, which was granted around 9 PM on Saturday.
Fighter Jet Was Part of an Exercise
This fighter jet was part of the India-UK joint naval exercise held in the North Arabian Sea on June 9 and 10. Several ships and aircraft from the Indian and British navies participated in this exercise. The jet was on an active training mission during the exercise.
