British Engineers Begin Repairs on UK F-35B Fighter Jet in India

A British team of aviation engineers has begun repairing the Royal Navy’s F-35B stealth fighter jet that made an emergency landing in Kerala last month. The advanced aircraft has now been moved into a maintenance hangar for technical work.

“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,” a spokesperson for the British High Commission confirmed on Monday (July 7, 2025).

The development follows nearly three weeks of uncertainty after the fifth-generation fighter, part of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group deployed on HMS Prince of Wales, was forced to land at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14.

The jet had been operating approximately 100 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala when adverse weather and likely low fuel levels forced it to divert to the mainland.
Indian authorities, including the Indian Air Force, facilitated the emergency landing and provided immediate logistical support and refuelling.

However, during pre-departure checks, a critical hydraulic fault was detected—an issue considered severe enough to impact the aircraft’s ability to take off or land safely. A small Royal Navy team initially attempted repairs but was unable to resolve the problem due to its complexity.

With formal approval from the UK, the aircraft was eventually relocated to a local Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, marking a rare instance of a frontline British fighter undergoing maintenance outside UK-controlled zones.
The jet had previously been parked in Bay 4 of the airport under constant watch by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Around 25 British Engineers arrived in India on Sunday and are now coordinating closely with Indian authorities to finalise the technical and logistical framework for repairs.

While no timeline has been provided for the completion of the work, officials familiar with the matter have indicated that the aircraft will return to active service following safety checks and system validations.
The episode has attracted international attention not only due to the presence of an F-35B stealth fighter on Indian soil, but also because it highlights deepening UK-India cooperation in defence and aerospace operations.

Team BharatShakti