A 17-Member UK Team To Land And Assess Grounded F-35 Fighter Jet In Kerala Today
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Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
British F-35B jet towed to hangar at Kerala airport
An expert team from the UK arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Sunday afternoon to inspect and repair the British F-35B fighter jet, which has been stranded at the airport since June 14, an airport official confirmed. A British Royal Navy fighter jet being moved to a designated facility at the Kerala airport in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (PTI) 'A UK engineering team has deployed to Thiruvananthapuram international airport to assess and repair the UK F-35B aircraft, which landed following an emergency diversion,' a British high commission spokesperson said. The UK has accepted India's offer of space at the maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Thiruvananthapuram, and the British side is in discussions to 'finalise arrangements with relevant authorities', the spokesperson said. The expert team, comprising 21 members including aviation engineers, landed at the airport around 12.45 pm in the Royal Air Force ZM 417 aircraft, a type of Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft. Soon after the arrival of the British team, the £85-million jet was towed from the tarmac to a hangar. Several attempts to fix the aircraft have been unsuccessful and it had been on the tarmac since it landed at Thiruvananthapuram after reporting low fuel levels. According to officials familiar with the matter, the expert team will inspect the advanced stealth F-35B jet, belonging to the Royal Navy, and attempt to repair it and make it airborne again. In case of failure to do so, the British authorities are expected to partially dismantle the jet, under extreme secrecy, and airlift it possibly in a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, they said. The fighter jet is part of the Carrier Strike Group aboard the HMS Prince of Wales and had taken part in recent maritime exercises with the Indian Navy. It made an emergency landing on the night of June 14 at the Thiruvananthapuram airport after reporting low fuel and adverse weather conditions during a routine sortie. The Indian Air Force (IAF) facilitated the safe landing of the jet on June 14 and later provided refuelling and logistical support. Royal Navy technicians from the carrier strike group unsuccessfully attempted to repair the F-35B jet, which was parked at a bay designated for VIP aircraft and was guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Upon landing, the fighter jet developed an engineering issue, precluding its return to the aircraft carrier. Engineers from the HMS Prince of Wales had inspected the aircraft and concluded that the support of a UK-based engineering team was needed. 'To minimise disruptions to the regular airport operations, the aircraft will be moved to a space in the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility hangar once specialist equipment and UK engineering teams arrive,' a statement from the British High Commission in India had stated earlier. 'The safe landing, logistics and continuing security and organisational support provided by India in responding to this situation further demonstrates the close coordination and deepening relationship that exists between the Armed Forces of the UK and India,' it added.
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India.com
14 hours ago
- India.com
Dismantling a Beast: UK Wrestles with F-35B's Complexity on Foreign Soil in Kerala
UK's lethal F-35B fighter jet stranded in Kerala A British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet, stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14, 2025, is now set to be dismantled and flown back to the United Kingdom. The jet, grounded by an unresolved hydraulic failure, cannot be repaired locally due to its complex systems and the absence of F-35 maintenance infrastructure in India. A C-17 Globemaster III military aircraft will likely transport the disassembled jet to the UK for restoration. Why the Jet Must Be Moved Efforts to fix the jet's critical hydraulic system in India proved unsuccessful. The F-35B's advanced design includes classified technologies like radar-absorbing coatings, encrypted software, and AI-based combat systems—requiring tools and expertise available only at select certified locations. India does not operate the F-35, and no repair base exists in the region. 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. The diplomatic coordination between the two nations has been smooth, despite early hesitation regarding the hangar shift. Challenges Faced The operation has not been without complications: Security Sensitivities : Concerns over espionage led to initial delays in moving the aircraft to a hangar. : Concerns over espionage led to initial delays in moving the aircraft to a hangar. Weather Conditions : Exposure to Kerala's heavy monsoon rains added further urgency and risk to the already delicate dismantling process. : Exposure to Kerala's heavy monsoon rains added further urgency and risk to the already delicate dismantling process. Public Curiosity: The jet's unexpected stay captured widespread attention, sparking social media memes and even a cheeky post from Kerala Tourism. Past Examples This is not the first time an F-35 has had to be dismantled. In 2019, the US Air Force removed the wings of an F-35A for transport from Florida to Utah. Similarly, in 2022, South Korea transported a belly-landed F-35A by road after removing its wings. These precedents show that such operations are technically feasible and already tested. Why On-Site Repairs Weren't Possible The hydraulic failure affecting this particular jet requires diagnostic equipment, spares, and expertise not available in India. As India doesn't operate any F-35s, it lacks the maintenance infrastructure needed for even minor repairs. Returning the jet to the UK is the only way to ensure it is properly restored and returned to duty. Conclusion The mission to dismantle and fly back the UK's F-35B from India is more than just a technical exercise—it is a symbol of careful international coordination, the importance of protecting advanced defense technologies, and the logistical precision required to handle one of the world's most advanced fighter jets. 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@ )
