British F-35B Fighter Jet Moved to MRO Facility After Emergency Landing in Kerala

 

🇬🇧 British F-35B Fighter Jet Moved to MRO Facility After Emergency Landing in Kerala


After more than two weeks of being grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, a British Royal Navy F‑35B Lightning II stealth fighter has been successfully relocated to the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hangar within the airport premises. The aircraft had made an emergency landing on June 14, citing low fuel and rough sea conditions near the carrier HMS Prince of Wales in the Arabian Sea.


✈️ Background: The Emergency Landing


The F‑35B was conducting flight operations over the Indian Ocean when bad weather and limited fuel forced the pilot to divert from HMS Prince of Wales to the nearest land-based airfield. The jet safely landed at Thiruvananthapuram’s main runway, becoming the first instance of a British fifth-generation fighter jet landing on Indian soil under operational duress.

Upon landing, British engineers discovered a hydraulic malfunction, which made the aircraft unfit to return to the skies. The aircraft was stationed at Bay 4 of the airport, secured by Indian CISF forces and shielded from public view.


Repair Operations Begin


A specialist 40-member team from the UK arrived in Kerala late June, equipped with tools, parts, and a tow vehicle. On June 27, the team successfully towed the aircraft into the MRO hangar, where deeper diagnostics and repair work commenced.

Sources from the British High Commission confirmed that initial repairs have been initiated under strict security protocols and in cooperation with Indian aviation authorities. "The move to the hangar was essential for both security and technical reasons," an official stated. "The aircraft is now under controlled conditions where engineers can work without weather interference or operational delays."


Return Strategy: Fly Out or Airlift?


The UK is pursuing two possible exit strategies:

  1. Fly the aircraft out of India once repairs and safety checks are completed.

  2. If ground repairs prove insufficient, disassemble and airlift the jet aboard a C‑17 Globemaster III—a military cargo aircraft capable of transporting heavy combat aircraft.

This decision will depend on ongoing assessments of the hydraulic systems, structural integrity, and avionics.


 Diplomacy and Military Cooperation


The situation has tested and strengthened diplomatic and logistical coordination between India and the United Kingdom. Indian agencies—including the Indian Air Force, Navy, CISF, and the Airports Authority of India—have provided full support throughout the process, ensuring tight security and operational access for British personnel.

"This is not just a technical event; it's a display of military trust and international collaboration," commented a defense analyst in New Delhi. "India’s willingness to facilitate complex operations for a NATO ally speaks volumes."


Timeline of Key Events



Date

Event

June 14

F‑35B makes emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram due to bad weather and fuel shortage

June 15-25

Aircraft grounded; British technicians assess hydraulic failure on the tarmac

June 27


Jet successfully moved into MRO facility

July 1-2

Repair work underway by UK engineers in coordination with Indian authorities

Next Step

Aircraft to be flown out or airlifted once cleared
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