Nearly Two Weeks After Emergency Landing, UK’s F-35B Jet To Be Moved To Kerala Airport’s MRO Facility For Repairs

Nearly two weeks after a British F-35B 'Lightning' stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the United Kingdom has said that the aircraft will be moved to the airport's Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for repairs, the Indian Express reported.

A British High Commission spokesperson said the UK F-35B aircraft is awaiting repairs at the airport after developing an engineering issue.

“The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft,” the spokesperson added, as quoted by the Indian Express. 

The aircraft will return to service after necessary repairs and safety checks.

According to the spokesperson, ground teams were working closely with Indian authorities to ensure all safety and security protocols were being followed. 

The spokesperson also expressed gratitude to the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for their continued support.

The F-35B, manufactured by US defence giant Lockheed Martin and valued at over $110 million, is one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets. 

It had been operating from the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and was on a routine sortie outside the Indian Air Defence Identification Zone when it encountered bad weather and made an emergency landing on 14 June.

The HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Richmond were in Indian waters as part of a UK-India naval Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the north Arabian Sea at the time of the incident.

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