25-Member UK Team To Assess Grounded F-35 Jet In Kerala Tomorrow
A team of around 25 British aviation engineers is expected to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday to assess F-35B fighter jet of Britain's Royal Navy, weeks after the aircraft was grounded following an emergency landing at the airport.
According to a report by Indian Today citing sources, the 25-member team would arrive in Kerala on Sunday, examine the fault in the parked aircraft and would decide if the fighter jet can be repaired in India or needs to be ferried back to the UK.
The team was earlier scheduled to arrive in Kerala on July 2, however, the visit was postponed for unknown reasons, news agency PTI reported, citing sources.
The fighter jet is currently parked at a bay in Thiruvananthapuram Airport and is being guarded by a six-member team from the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. India had offered to assist in repairing the F-35 of the British Royal Navy in the closest MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) facility. A spokesperson from the British High Commission said the plane is waiting for repairs. The UK has agreed to move the jet to the airport's MRO facility.
The F-35B jet, owned by Britain's Royal Navy, might need to be dismantled for transport or flown out in one piece using a large special aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster.
The jet, worth over $110 million, is one of the most advanced fighter planes in the world. The aircraft was conducting operations 100 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala when it made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14 due to a technical problem.
The Indian Air Force extended all possible support for rectifying the issue and ensuring its return. However, when the fighter jet was preparing to return to its carrier, a hydraulic failure was detected during pre-departure checks. A small Royal Navy team attempted to repair the malfunction but was unsuccessful.
The aircraft is parked at Bay 4 of Thiruvananthapuram airport under Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) protection since then.
The F-35B is the only fifth-generation fighter jet with short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, making it suitable for small decks, austere bases, and ships.
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Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
British F-35B jet towed to hangar at Kerala airport
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India.com
15 hours ago
- India.com
Dismantling a Beast: UK Wrestles with F-35B's Complexity on Foreign Soil in Kerala
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Beyond technical hurdles, national security concerns make it risky to leave the jet parked at a civilian airport. The aircraft is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, and its prolonged absence weakens the UK's operational readiness. Transporting it back is the only viable and secure option. UK Sends a Specialized Team On July 6, a Royal Air Force A400M Atlas brought in a 25–40 member team of engineers and Lockheed Martin-certified technicians to Thiruvananthapuram. The team brought specialized tools and a tow vehicle, starting with an inspection to assess whether repairs could be done on-site. Once confirmed unrepairable, the dismantling process began. Moving to a Safer Location Initially, the F-35B was parked in the open at Bay 4 of the airport under CISF security. The UK declined to move it to a hangar due to concerns over exposure of sensitive systems in a non-NATO country. However, with India's assurances and growing urgency, the jet was shifted to a secure Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility where the environment is controlled and access is tightly restricted. The Dismantling Process Removing the jet's wings, tail fins, and stabilizers is essential to fit it inside the C-17's cargo bay, which is 26 meters long but only about 4 meters wide. The F-35B has a wingspan of nearly 10.7 meters, making disassembly the only option. This process is far from simple. Every screw, bolt, and panel is security-coded and logged to prevent tampering or unauthorized access. Only Lockheed Martin-trained engineers are allowed to perform these tasks. The dismantled components are carefully packed to avoid damage to the stealth coatings or internal systems. The jet's fuselage is then compacted and prepared for loading as a single unit, taking care to protect the aircraft's sensitive sensors and onboard electronics. Airlift to the UK Once dismantled, the aircraft will be loaded onto a Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster III—one of the few transport aircraft capable of handling such a load. Technicians will supervise the process to ensure that the jet's frame and sensitive systems remain intact. The aircraft will likely be flown to RAF Marham in the UK, where full-scale repair facilities for the F-35 are located. Once there, it will be reassembled and thoroughly tested before rejoining active service aboard HMS Prince of Wales . Security and Diplomatic Coordination Throughout the dismantling and transport operation, UK Royal Air Force personnel and naval officers are maintaining strict security. They are working in coordination with Indian CISF forces to prevent any technology leaks or unauthorized access. The UK government has also committed to settling all dues, including parking and hangar charges, with Indian authorities. 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Once it takes to the skies again from British soil, the F-35B will carry with it a fascinating chapter from Kerala that blended diplomacy, engineering, and a touch of global intrigue. —— E.O.M ( Girish Linganna is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst. He is the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. Contact: girishlinganna@ )
India Gazette
16 hours ago
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