British F-35 Jet Finally Departs Thiruvananthapuram After Month Long Technical Glitch

British F-35 Jet Finally Departs Thiruvananthapuram After Month-Long Technical Glitch

Emergency Landing After Mid-Air Malfunction

Thiruvananthapuram, July 22 — After being grounded for over a month due to a complex technical malfunction, a British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet finally departed from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Monday morning, drawing to a close a 38-day-long international repair effort that attracted both media attention and public curiosity.

The advanced fifth-generation jet had made an emergency landing in Kerala on June 14 after experiencing a hydraulic system failure while operating over the Arabian Sea. The aircraft was part of a deployment on the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier and had to divert from its route due to both mechanical issues and unfavorable weather conditions.

High-Security Stay and Technical Delays

For weeks, the multi-million-dollar jet remained stationed at the airport, surrounded by heavy security and under close observation. The complexity of the malfunction meant that repair work could not proceed until a specialized engineering team and spare parts were flown in from the United Kingdom. The British Royal Air Force's technical crew arrived in early July and began extensive diagnostic and repair operations despite challenging monsoon conditions.

Successful Repairs and Smooth Takeoff

After successful testing and safety clearances, the F-35B was deemed airworthy. On the morning of July 22, the aircraft took off smoothly from the airport’s main runway, with onlookers and airport staff watching the high-tech fighter jet lift into the skies.

International Cooperation Acknowledged

Officials from the British High Commission expressed gratitude to Indian authorities, including the Indian Air Force and airport personnel, for their assistance and cooperation throughout the repair period. They described the coordination as an example of effective military and diplomatic collaboration.

A Viral Sensation in Kerala

Interestingly, the grounded jet also became a local sensation during its stay. Kerala Tourism capitalized on the situation with a viral social media campaign featuring AI-generated memes and playful messages, turning the prolonged grounding into an unexpected promotional opportunity.

Mission Resumes After Technical Setback

The jet is now expected to rejoin its fleet, continuing its mission after nearly six weeks on Indian soil. The incident highlighted both the complexity of maintaining cutting-edge military technology and the spirit of cross-border support in times of technical crises.