Part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, the aircraft diverted due to bad weather and low fuel while operating off the Kerala coast
Published Jul 06, 2025 | 7:34 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 06, 2025 | 7:34 PM
Stranded British F-35B fighter jet finally moved from Thiruvananthapuram airport after 22 days
The British F-35B fighter jet, stranded at Thiruvananthapuram airport since its emergency landing on June 14, was finally moved out on Sunday after 22 days. Part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, the aircraft diverted due to bad weather and low fuel while operating off the Kerala coast.
The Indian Air Force facilitated the emergency landing and offered logistical support. However, a hydraulic fault detected before the return flight caused a prolonged delay. An initial repair effort by Royal Navy technicians was unsuccessful due to the fault’s complexity.
A specialized team of UK technical experts later arrived aboard an RAF Airbus A400M to carry out further assessment and repairs. While the jet remained exposed to heavy monsoon rain initially, it was eventually moved into a hangar after the British Navy reversed its earlier decision to leave it on the tarmac.
