Thiruvananthapuram, India – A British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning fighter jet, valued at over $110 million, is finally poised for departure from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Tuesday, after being grounded for over a month due to a technical snag. The advanced stealth fighter was forced to make an emergency landing on June 14.
Airport sources confirmed that the jet, a crucial component of the UK’s cutting-edge stealth fleet, has undergone successful repairs and is prepared for takeoff. While originally scheduled to fly out on Monday, its departure has been pushed to Tuesday, with the exact time remaining undisclosed for security reasons.
“It is being brought out of the hangar now. The jet will be brought to our bay, and it will fly back on Tuesday,” a source confirmed.
The F-35B, designed for short take-off and vertical landing, made an unexpected landing at Thiruvananthapuram after developing a technical issue, reportedly a hydraulic system failure, following a routine sortie. Airport authorities had declared an emergency to ensure a safe landing.
Following its arrival, the jet, reportedly valued at £85 million, was towed to a hangar. Initial attempts by a Royal Navy team to fix the aircraft proved unsuccessful, leading to the deployment of a specialized team of aviation engineers from the UK. These experts, including personnel from the manufacturer, arrived in Kerala to carry out the necessary repairs. The jet has been housed in an Air India hangar during its extended stay.
The prolonged grounding has incurred various charges, including landing fees, daily rent, and parking fees for the aircraft at the airport. Sources also indicated that the equipment and crew brought in for the maintenance will be returning on a separate flight.
The incident has garnered significant attention, highlighting the complexities of supporting advanced military assets far from home bases and leading to humorous online commentary, including from Kerala Tourism. Its departure will mark the conclusion of an unusual chapter in international defense cooperation.