After weeks of being grounded due to technical issues, the F-35B fighter jet at Thiruvananthapuram airport is set for departure. Engineers from the UK were deployed for repairs and confirmed the aircraft's airworthiness, bringing relief to defense officials and sparking public curiosity.
Stranded F-35B Fighter Jet Prepares for Departure from India After Weeks of Repairs
Stranded F-35B Fighter Jet Prepares for Departure from India After Weeks of Repairs
A British F-35B jet, stuck at Thiruvananthapuram airport for over five weeks, is finally ready to fly back after a complex repair process.
An F-35B fighter jet belonging to the British Royal Navy is ready to fly back to the UK after being grounded in India for over five weeks due to technical issues. The aircraft was originally diverted to Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala on June 14 after encountering adverse weather conditions during a mission in the Indian Ocean. Initially, engineers from the Royal Navy attempted to fix the jet but were unsuccessful, prompting the UK Ministry of Defence to send a team of 14 specialists equipped with necessary tools for the complex repair job.
Geared for short take-off and vertical landings, this highly sophisticated aircraft has drawn attention during its prolonged absence from the skies. During its stay in India, it generated conversations on social media and local humor, as images emerged depicting the jet inundated by Kerala's monsoon rains, fueling memes and jokes about its extended holiday in the so-called "God's Own Country."
Airport officials confirmed that the F-35B is ready for its journey back to the UK and is set to be pulled from its hangar for departure. However, the exact details of its departure, including the refueling stop and logistics for transporting the repair team back, remain under wraps. Speculation also mounted regarding the possibility of the jet needing to be dismantled for transport if engineers were unable to restore it to airworthy conditions.
As the aircraft gears up for its farewell flight, it has reignited discussions in the UK Parliament regarding the implications of a modern military jet being stranded internationally. The UK high commission in India, along with various defense authorities, has kept details about the repairs private, but with the aircraft's readiness confirmed, officials and aviation enthusiasts alike look forward to its return to the skies.
