UK F-35 Fighter Jet Stuck in Kerala to be Dismantled for Transport Back: Sources

The British Royal Navy’s F-35 fighter jet, which made an emergency landing at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14, is likely to be partially dismantled and airlifted back to the United Kingdom in a military cargo aircraft, sources said.

Despite multiple attempts to repair the aircraft on site, the fifth-generation stealth jet has remained grounded due to an unresolved engineering malfunction. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that efforts to restore flight readiness have so far been unsuccessful.

Adding to the delay, no engineering team from the United Kingdom has arrived in India yet. A group of thirty engineers was expected to reach Thiruvananthapuram to undertake repairs, but they have not landed in the country so far, sources said.

With no timeline for the aircraft’s recovery, British officials are now working on alternative plans to retrieve the jet. Partial dismantling has emerged as the most viable option to enable its return by military transport.

The F-35B, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, was conducting operations 100 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala when adverse weather and low fuel forced an emergency diversion to Thiruvananthapuram. The Indian Air Force facilitated the safe landing and provided refuelling and logistical assistance.

However, when the fighter jet was preparing to return to its carrier, a hydraulic failure was detected during pre-departure checks. The issue is considered serious as it could affect the jet’s ability to take off and land safely. A small Royal Navy team, including three technicians, attempted to repair the malfunction but was unsuccessful due to the complexity of the problem.

The aircraft has been parked at Bay 4 of the airport under the protection of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Initially, the Royal Navy declined an offer from Air India to move the jet into a hangar, despite the monsoon rains in Kerala. Later, the British Navy agreed to move the jet into a hangar.

According to the source: India Today.