UK Engineers Fly to Kerala to Repair Stranded F‑35B
A team of 24 technical experts from the UK has arrived in Kerala to repair a British Royal Navy F‑35B stealth fighter jet that made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14. The aircraft, part of the HMS Prince of Wales carrier group, was grounded due to hydraulic failure and remains parked under CISF guard at Bay 4 of the airport.
The specialists flew in aboard an RAF Airbus A400M Atlas and immediately began evaluating whether the jet can be fixed locally or needs to be dismantled and flown home via a C‑17 Globemaster. The British High Commission confirmed that the aircraft was moved into the airport’s MRO hangar to shield it from monsoon weather and to minimize disruption to civilian operations.
This marks the first deployment of UK personnel to conduct on-site repairs overseas on an F‑35B. Earlier efforts by naval aviation engineers were unsuccessful, prompting this expanded mission. The Indian Air Force is providing logistical and technical assistance while maintaining strict security protocols to safeguard classified stealth technology.
Media reports indicate that if repairs prove unfeasible, the F‑35B will be disassembled and airlifted back to Britain. Meanwhile, the ground crew and visiting experts will remain with the aircraft until a clear path to safe departure is confirmed.
The grounded fighter jet has become a public curiosity in Kerala. After its arrival, it featured in tourism publicity, prompting memes and local interest in the high-value aircraft. Tourism authorities even highlighted the incident, drawing international attention to the state’s welcoming infrastructure.
Analysts say the incident underscores the complexities of operating cutting-edge military aircraft far from home bases. It also demonstrates India’s role as a reliable partner in supporting allied forces during technical emergencies. Observers expect the repair effort to conclude within days, allowing the jet to either return to service or be transported home securely.
