Thiruvananthapuram | July 6: Nearly three weeks after a Royal Air Force (RAF) F-35B stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing in Kerala, a joint team of British and American aviation specialists has arrived in Thiruvananthapuram to inspect the aircraft and assess possible repairs. The team—comprising 14 engineers and 10 crew members—arrived aboard a Royal Air Force Atlas transport aircraft, which landed at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport at 12:46 p.m. on Sunday. The fifth-generation fighter jet, among the most advanced in the world, has been stationed at bay number four of the airport’s domestic terminal since June 14.
The F-35B was reportedly forced to land due to technical issues, exacerbated by challenging weather conditions over the Indian Ocean during its operational deployment. The incident has drawn significant public attention, both in India and abroad, due to the rarity of such a high-profile aircraft being grounded on foreign soil.
Flight data shows that the RAF transport plane began its journey from the Brize Norton airbase in Oxfordshire, UK, on July 4. It made refueling stops at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and Seeb International Airport in Oman, before completing its final leg from Muscat to Kerala on Sunday morning.
The visiting team is expected to carry out a detailed inspection of the jet and determine whether on-site repairs are feasible. If required, the aircraft may be moved to a hangar within the airport premises to facilitate the process. Dismantling the jet’s wings and tail section for airlift back to the UK or US remains a contingency option, should local repairs prove impractical.
While defence officials have offered limited public commentary, British authorities have maintained that the aircraft is recoverable and can be restored to operational status following repair and safety assessments. The delay in the technical team’s arrival, however, had sparked widespread speculation and online debate, amplified by the jet’s extended presence on Indian tarmac. A final decision on the aircraft’s fate is expected following the current round of inspection and technical review.
