Thiruvananthapuram: A 17-member UK military team involved in the maintenance of the British F-35B fighter aircraft departed from here on a Royal Air Force A400M aircraft last night.
The personnel expressed their gratitude to the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for the full support extended from the time of the emergency landing of the British F-35B fighter jet until the issues were fully resolved.
“Flight Lieutenant Thom Sawyer of the UK Royal Air Force personally visited the airport authorities to convey his thanks. A memento from the Royal Air Force was also presented,” airport sources said today.
Earlier, the F-35B fighter jet of the British Royal Navy, which had made an emergency landing on June 14 due to suspected issues with its hydraulic system, finally departed from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on July 22.
Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft and determined that the support of a UK–based engineering team was required.
Accordingly, on July six, a British RAF Airbus A400M Atlas military transport aircraft landed in Thiruvananthapuram carrying a 24-member team (14 technicians and 10 crew members) to inspect and repair the F-35B fighter.
The UK engineering team completed the repairs and safety checks, allowing the aircraft to resume active service.
The UK had also accepted India’s offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility. To ensure minimal disruption to regular airport operations, it was decided to relocate the aircraft after the arrival of the UK engineering team with specialist equipment.
“The UK has complied with all standard requirements applicable to commercial airports,” officials added.
Although the emergency landing was initially reported as a precautionary refuelling stop, the aircraft remained parked at the bay as efforts were made to address the hydraulic failure.
The F-35B Lightning is a stealth multirole fighter aircraft that operates alongside the Eurofighter Typhoon. Capable of conducting air-to-surface, electronic warfare, intelligence gathering, and air-to-air missions simultaneously, it is equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems, and stealth technology.
The F-35B is a Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft that can operate from aircraft carriers and in austere environments.
