‘Repairs are underway’: F-35B grounded in Thiruvananthapuram moved to hangar; UK thanks India for support | India News

UK F35B plane (Image Credit: X/UK defence in India)

NEW DELHI: The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy F-35B fighter plane, which has remained grounded on the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14 following an emergency touchdown, has been moved to the upkeep hangar, and the restore work is underway. The UK defence in India, in a submit on X, thanked the Indian authorities for the support and collaboration. The plane F-35B had made an emergency touchdown throughout antagonistic climate circumstances over the Indian Ocean roughly three weeks in the past, as confirmed by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).British engineers have arrived in India by way of a Royal Air Force (RAF) Airbus A400M Atlas and performed repairs on the grounded plane, which has remained on the airport since June 14.“UPDATE: A team of UK engineers has arrived in India to commence repairs on the UK F-35 B aircraft. Repairs are underway on the aircraft, which has now been moved to the maintenance hangar. We are grateful for the continued support and collaboration of the Indian authorities,” acknowledged the UK MoD.The superior plane, operated by the British Navy, landed in Thiruvananthapuram after failing to return to HMS Prince of Wales in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The Indian Air Force (IAF) subsequently confirmed the airport’s designation as an emergency restoration facility.The IAF posted on X: “A Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 25. Operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield.”Initial restore makes an attempt by HMS Prince of Wales engineers proved unsuccessful after the plane skilled hydraulic points throughout refuelling. Subsequently, 25 technical specialists from the British Royal Air Force arrived with specialised tools to assess and restore the plane, which has been relocated to the Air India Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.