British Team to Examine Stranded F-35 Fighter Jet in Thiruvananthapuram

A team of around 25 British aviation engineers is set to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday to assess the F-35 fighter jet that has been grounded at the airport for nearly three weeks following an emergency landing, as per sources.

The team will inspect the aircraft to identify the fault and determine whether the jet can be repaired locally or needs to be transported back to the UK. Initial reports suggested that the F-35 might be partially dismantled and flown back aboard a transport aircraft, as multiple efforts to restore it to flying condition have so far failed.

The F-35B, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, was forced to divert and make an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14 due to worsening weather conditions and low fuel while operating about 100 nautical miles off the Kerala coast.

The Indian Air Force facilitated the unscheduled landing and extended support with refuelling and other logistics. However, just as the jet was preparing to take off and rejoin its carrier, a critical hydraulic issue was detected during routine checks. The malfunction was deemed serious, as it could impact the aircraft's ability to safely take off or land.

A small Royal Navy team, including three technicians, had been trying to fix the issue, but the complexity of the fault prevented a successful repair.

Since landing, the F-35 has remained parked at Bay 4 of the airport under the security of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Initially, the British Royal Navy had declined an offer from Air India to move the jet into a hangar—despite heavy monsoon rains. However, they later agreed, and the jet has since been moved under shelter.

The upcoming visit by the larger team of engineers is expected to be crucial in deciding the next steps for the stranded fifth-generation stealth fighter.