The British F-35B fighter plane that made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport about two weeks back is still grounded, with no news when it will be back in action. The British High Commission in Bengaluru has now stepped in, affirming that the aircraft developed an engineering problem once it landed and needs assistance from a UK-based specialist team.
The fifth-generation stealth fighter, developed under the world’s costliest jet programme, was on its way back to its base on the HMS Prince of Wales after carrying out joint naval exercises with the Indian Navy when it made a detour because of bad weather.
“A UK F-35 was not able to return to HMS Prince of Wales because of inclement weather. For safety reasons, the aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India and landed safely. The aircraft has since incurred an engineering problem while on the ground that prevented it from returning to the Carrier,” said the British High Commission in a statement.
UK Engineers Sent, Jet to Be Relocated to MRO Hangar
After the safe landing, the engineers from the HMS Prince of Wales initially evaluated the aircraft. But they ruled out that a more sophisticated repair needed a specialist UK engineering team.
“HMS Prince of Wales engineers evaluated the aircraft, and it was deemed that the assistance of a UK-based engineering team was required. We currently have no timeline for the repair of the aircraft. The aircraft will be relocated to a hangar space in the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facility to minimize disruptions to normal airport operations once specialist equipment and UK engineering teams become available,” the High Commission further stated.
Royal Navy Rejects Air India Hangar Proposal
Sources said the Royal Navy rejected Air India’s proposal to provide hangar space for the aircraft. The probable reason, according to them, is due to fears of protecting “protected technologies” incorporated into the F-35B.
India, UK Working Closely on Security and Logistics
The High Commission recognized the close bilateral partnership, saying, “The safe landing, logistics, and ongoing security assistance extended by India are indicative of the close coordination and strengthening defence relationship between our two countries.”
To date, there is no set timeline for when the British aircraft will again depart Indian territory.
