A 24-member British team arrived in Kerala to repair a stranded F-35B fighter jet grounded since June 14 due to hydraulic failure.
The jet was moved to the airport’s MRO facility for inspection; if repairs fail, it may be dismantled and airlifted later.
The incident has sparked viral buzz in Kerala, with the fighter jet turning into an unexpected social media sensation.
A Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas touched down in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Sunday, carrying a 24-member British team tasked with repairing a grounded F-35B fighter jet. The team includes 14 technical experts and 10 crew members, flown in to inspect and potentially fix the advanced stealth aircraft that has been stuck at the airport for over three weeks.
The F-35B, one of the world’s most sophisticated short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) jets, made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14 after encountering low fuel levels and bad weather—later diagnosed with a hydraulic system failure.
Upon arrival, the British team wasted no time. The jet has since been moved from the tarmac to the airport’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for a detailed assessment. While the Airbus A400M that ferried the crew and equipment departed the same day, the technical team will remain in Kerala to lead the repair effort.
As of now, the UK has not planned to airlift the fighter jet, since the A400M is not equipped for that scale of cargo. If on-site repairs prove impossible, the aircraft may need to be dismantled and transported via a larger transport aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster. For now, the priority remains fixing the hydraulic issue and, if successful, flying the jet back to its carrier.
The British High Commission thanked Indian authorities for their prompt support and collaboration. Officials from the Indian Air Force and the Central Industrial Security Force have been providing logistical and security support since the incident. The UK also accepted India’s offer to use the MRO facility and is closely coordinating with local authorities.
Interestingly, the grounded F-35B has become something of a viral attraction in Kerala. Social media is buzzing with light-hearted posts and memes, with Kerala Tourism and local netizens turning the unexpected military layover into a quirky cultural moment.