The British F-35B, diverted to Thiruvananthapuram after bad weather, faced repair challenges and sparked significant attention over its prolonged stay. It's now confirmed airworthy and expected to leave shortly.
UK F-35B Fighter Jet Ready to Depart India After Month-Long Delay
UK F-35B Fighter Jet Ready to Depart India After Month-Long Delay
A state-of-the-art F-35B jet, stranded in India for over five weeks due to technical issues, is finally set to fly back to the UK.
The advanced F-35B fighter jet of the United Kingdom, which remained grounded in India for more than five weeks, is finally prepared for its departure on Tuesday. An official from Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala shared that the aircraft will be "pulled back from the hangar today," marking the end of its unusual delay. It landed on June 14 after encountering adverse weather conditions during a flight in the Indian Ocean, leading to technical difficulties that left it stranded.
This situation has raised eyebrows, particularly regarding how a cutting-edge aircraft could be stuck in a foreign nation for such an extended period. After a Royal Navy team initially attempted to repair the jet but fell short, the UK's Ministry of Defence responded by sending a specialized team of 14 engineers equipped with necessary tools for the evaluation and repair process. The aircraft was seen in recent videos being towed to a maintenance facility within the airport.
There were concerns that if the repairs were not successful, the jet, which is valued at $110 million (£80 million), might need to be disassembled and shipped through a larger cargo plane. Despite this, an airport representative confirmed that the F-35B is now airworthy and scheduled for departure. However, specifics on its refueling stop and the return of the engineering team have yet to be revealed.
The F-35B is noted for its stealth capabilities and is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, highly valued for its short take-off and vertical landing features. The unusual circumstance of the "lonely F-35B" sparked a wave of memes, with many humorously suggesting it preferred the picturesque landscapes of Kerala, often referred to as "God's own country." The incident even drew attention in the House of Commons, underscoring the PR challenges posed by such high-profile aviation events.
This situation has raised eyebrows, particularly regarding how a cutting-edge aircraft could be stuck in a foreign nation for such an extended period. After a Royal Navy team initially attempted to repair the jet but fell short, the UK's Ministry of Defence responded by sending a specialized team of 14 engineers equipped with necessary tools for the evaluation and repair process. The aircraft was seen in recent videos being towed to a maintenance facility within the airport.
There were concerns that if the repairs were not successful, the jet, which is valued at $110 million (£80 million), might need to be disassembled and shipped through a larger cargo plane. Despite this, an airport representative confirmed that the F-35B is now airworthy and scheduled for departure. However, specifics on its refueling stop and the return of the engineering team have yet to be revealed.
The F-35B is noted for its stealth capabilities and is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, highly valued for its short take-off and vertical landing features. The unusual circumstance of the "lonely F-35B" sparked a wave of memes, with many humorously suggesting it preferred the picturesque landscapes of Kerala, often referred to as "God's own country." The incident even drew attention in the House of Commons, underscoring the PR challenges posed by such high-profile aviation events.
