Eleven days after the UK F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the British authorities on Wednesday officially responded, stating that the advanced fifth-generation jet would be repaired in Kerala. According to a statement issued by the British High Commission spokesperson, “We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. We thank the Indian authorities for their continued support.”
According to them, the U.K. F-35B aircraft was unable to return to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier due to adverse weather conditions prevailing in the region on the night of June 14. Prioritising safety, the aircraft was then diverted to the Thiruvananthapuram airport, where it landed safely. The aircraft has subsequently developed an engineering issue whilst on the ground which precluded its return to the aircraft carrier.
Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft, and it was decided that the support of a U.K.-based engineering team was needed. “At this time, we do not have a forecast for the aircraft being repaired. To minimise disruptions to the regular airport operations, the aircraft will be moved to a space in the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility hangar once specialist equipment and UK engineering teams arrive,” the British authorities said.
