'Repairs are underway': F-35B grounded in Thiruvananthapuram moved to hangar; UK thanks India for support
NEW DELHI: The United Kingdom's Royal Navy F-35B fighter aircraft, which has remained grounded at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14 following an emergency landing, has been moved to the maintenance hangar, and the repair work is underway.
The UK defence in India, in a post on X, thanked the Indian authorities for the support and collaboration.
The aircraft F-35B had made an emergency landing during adverse weather conditions over the Indian Ocean approximately three weeks ago, as confirmed by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).
British engineers have arrived in India via a Royal Air Force (RAF) Airbus A400M Atlas and conducted repairs on the grounded aircraft, which has remained at the airport since June 14.
"UPDATE: A team of UK engineers has arrived in India to commence repairs on the UK F-35 B aircraft. Repairs are underway on the aircraft, which has now been moved to the maintenance hangar. We are grateful for the continued support and collaboration of the Indian authorities," stated the UK MoD.
The advanced aircraft, operated by the British Navy, landed in Thiruvananthapuram after failing to return to HMS Prince of Wales in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The Indian Air Force (IAF) subsequently confirmed the airport's designation as an emergency recovery facility.
The IAF posted on X: "A Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 25. Operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield."
Initial repair attempts by HMS Prince of Wales engineers proved unsuccessful after the aircraft experienced hydraulic issues during refuelling. Subsequently, 25 technical specialists from the British Royal Air Force arrived with specialised equipment to assess and repair the aircraft, which has been relocated to the Air India Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.
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