UK’s F-35B Fighter Jet Cleared to Leave Kerala After 39 Days

Thiruvananthapuram:

The F-35B fighter jet from the United Kingdom has finally been given clearance to take-off after being grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for more than a month because of a technical issue. On Tuesday, July 23, the fifth generation stealth aircraft is expected to take off, capping a 39 day diplomatic and logistical episode.

On June 14, the British Royal Navy's F-35B reported a technical issue while en route to a defense exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, forcing it to make an emergency landing at the Kerala airport. The aircraft, which is among the most advanced in the world and is designed for short takeoff and vertical landing, needs specialized equipment and support for maintenance, neither of which was easily accessible locally.

The aircraft stayed parked in the isolation bay of the airport while the British government worked with Indian defense and civil aviation authorities to make repairs, according to Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials. To perform the required diagnostics and get the aircraft back in flying condition, a group of engineers and technicians was flown in from the UK.

It was an extremely specialized operation that required careful coordination with several Indian agencies. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior Ministry of Civil Aviation official stated that the aircraft was kept and protected safely during its stay.

In order to expedite the arrival of technical personnel and necessary equipment from the United Kingdom, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that diplomatic permissions were expedited. An MEA spokesperson stated, "India extended full cooperation to our British counterparts to ensure a safe and secure resolution."

During the repair phase, Royal Navy officials had also stayed in Thiruvananthapuram. "The UK greatly appreciates India's support in ensuring the aircraft's safety and providing the necessary environment for technical rectification," a British High Commission spokesperson in New Delhi confirmed. The F-35B is now prepared for flight and will soon return to its intended mission.

Due in large part to the absence of official statements in the early days, the combat aircraft's presence at a civilian airport had generated media attention and public interest. According to AAI, flight operations at the airport were unaffected despite increased security surrounding the aircraft during its stay.

The UK uses Lockheed Martin's F-35B for air force and naval missions. It can carry out sophisticated electronic warfare, precision strikes, and stealth operations. One of the infrequent occurrences of such a jet being grounded outside a military base is its unannounced stop in Kerala. 

Authorities have praised the seamless diplomatic coordination between India and the UK, which made sure that technical and logistical issues were resolved without incident, and the aircraft is now cleared to depart.