UK Plans C-17 Airlift for Stranded F-35B in Kerala Following Technical Malfunction
The United Kingdom is set to conduct an unusual airlift of an F-35B stealth fighter jet from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after the aircraft encountered technical difficulties post an emergency landing on June 15. Nearly three weeks since it was grounded, the advanced jet may be transported by a Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster, as on-site repair attempts have been unsuccessful.
This F-35B, a variant designed for short take-off and vertical landing and manufactured by Lockheed Martin, diverted from the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales because of poor weather conditions. The emergency landing was prompted by fuel constraints and adverse weather following a standard Indo-UK naval exercise in the area.
The pilot was safely retrieved by a Royal Navy AW101 Merlin helicopter the next day and returned to the carrier, whereas the fighter jet has remained stationed and guarded on the tarmac. Due to an "engineering issue," the aircraft was rendered unfit for flying, leading the UK Ministry of Defence to send a team of specialist engineers for assessment and repair.
Despite employing advanced diagnostic tools, officials have not yet ascertained when or if the aircraft will be ready to fly again. Indian Air Force and airport officials are working together to potentially relocate the aircraft to a maintenance hangar pending the scheduled airlift.
The British High Commission stated that the jet’s diversion was a precautionary measure for safety, and the aircraft continues to be under stringent monitoring. Local airport operations have experienced minimal disruption due to the proactive steps taken by Indian authorities.
Globally acknowledged as the most costly and technologically sophisticated weapons development project in military aviation history, the F-35 programme has logged over 800,000 flight hours with various operators, including the US, UK, and Israel. The impending airlift from India emphasizes the logistical complexities associated with deploying such advanced systems away from their home bases.
