British F-35 Jet, Grounded In Kerala For Days, May Be Dismantled And Airlifted Back To UK: Report

A British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet, grounded at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since its emergency landing on 14 June, may be partially dismantled and transported back to the United Kingdom in a military cargo aircraft, reported India Today.

The fifth-generation stealth jet has remained non-operational due to an engineering malfunction.

Despite multiple on-site repair attempts by a small Royal Navy team, including three technicians, the issue remains unresolved.

The malfunction is considered critical as it affects the jet's safe takeoff and landing.

Although a 30-member engineering team from the UK was expected to arrive to carry out repairs, they have yet to reach India.

With no clear timeline for restoring the aircraft’s flight readiness, British officials are now reportedly working on plans to retrieve the jet.

Partially dismantling the jet for repatriation via military airlift has emerged as the most viable option.

The F-35B was part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group and was forced to divert to Thiruvananthapuram due to adverse weather conditions and low fuel while conducting operations 100 nautical miles off Kerala’s coast.

The Indian Air Force facilitated its safe landing and provided logistical and refuelling support.

Initially parked at Bay 4 of the airport, the aircraft remained exposed during monsoon rains, as the Royal Navy initially declined Air India’s offer to move it into a hangar.

However, the aircraft has since been relocated indoors and remains under CISF protection.