The modern British F-35B fighter jet is schedule to fly back to the UK after extensive repairs and an unexpected stay in India.
The state-of-the-art F-35B fighter jet has spent more than five weeks at the Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala, India, following an emergency landing due to turbulent weather during a sortie in the Indian Ocean. After encountering technical issues, the aircraft deteriorated in functionality, triggering a series of repair attempts by experts. The jet, part of the HMS Prince of Wales fleet, had become a subject of fascination in the local community and beyond, raising questions on how a high-tech military aircraft could be stranded in a foreign country for such a protracted period.
Upon landing on June 14, the F-35B was towed to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. Representatives from the Royal Navy soon visited to assess the situation, but their initial attempts to resolve the issue were unsuccessful. Subsequently, the UK Ministry of Defence deployed an additional team of 14 engineers equipped with specialized tools to help with the aircraft. Recent updates confirmed to the BBC that the fighter jet had been declared airworthy, with an airport official stating that the plane would be extracted from the hangar as scheduled.
A spokesperson reported that the exact details surrounding the aircraft's departure, including refueling stops and transport plans for the technicians returning home, are still to be finalized. The F-35B jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, are renowned for their stealth capabilities and versatility in takeoffs and landings, including short takeoffs and vertical landings.
Throughout this unusual incident, the jet's prolonged absence didn't go unnoticed, leading to humorous memes and discussions online. Many locals jokingly suggested that the revolutionary jet had taken a liking to Kerala, often dubbed "God's own country" in tourist literature. The case even captured the attention of the House of Commons in the UK, indicating the level of interest surrounding the unusual circumstances of this $110 million asset. As it stands ready for flight, the F-35B’s saga in India will soon come to an end.
The state-of-the-art F-35B fighter jet has spent more than five weeks at the Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala, India, following an emergency landing due to turbulent weather during a sortie in the Indian Ocean. After encountering technical issues, the aircraft deteriorated in functionality, triggering a series of repair attempts by experts. The jet, part of the HMS Prince of Wales fleet, had become a subject of fascination in the local community and beyond, raising questions on how a high-tech military aircraft could be stranded in a foreign country for such a protracted period.
Upon landing on June 14, the F-35B was towed to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. Representatives from the Royal Navy soon visited to assess the situation, but their initial attempts to resolve the issue were unsuccessful. Subsequently, the UK Ministry of Defence deployed an additional team of 14 engineers equipped with specialized tools to help with the aircraft. Recent updates confirmed to the BBC that the fighter jet had been declared airworthy, with an airport official stating that the plane would be extracted from the hangar as scheduled.
A spokesperson reported that the exact details surrounding the aircraft's departure, including refueling stops and transport plans for the technicians returning home, are still to be finalized. The F-35B jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, are renowned for their stealth capabilities and versatility in takeoffs and landings, including short takeoffs and vertical landings.
Throughout this unusual incident, the jet's prolonged absence didn't go unnoticed, leading to humorous memes and discussions online. Many locals jokingly suggested that the revolutionary jet had taken a liking to Kerala, often dubbed "God's own country" in tourist literature. The case even captured the attention of the House of Commons in the UK, indicating the level of interest surrounding the unusual circumstances of this $110 million asset. As it stands ready for flight, the F-35B’s saga in India will soon come to an end.
