Stranded British Stealth Fighter Jet Flies Back Finally
The fighter jet took off at 10.50 am to Darwin in Australia. The jet made an emergency landing due to a technical issue and low fuel levels on June 14.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The British Stealth Fighter Jet F-35 B, which has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14, flew back on Tuesday after resolving the technical issues.
The fighter jet took off at 10.50 am to Darwin in Australia. The jet made an emergency landing due to a technical issue and low fuel levels on June 14.
A 14-member team of aviation engineers and technical experts which arrived here from the UK on July 6, completed the repair works. They carried out a safety check before giving the go-ahead for the jet to resume flying.
A British High Commission Spokesperson said:``A UK F-35 B aircraft, which landed following an emergency diversion on June 14, departed today from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. A UK Engineering team, deployed since July 6, completed the repairs and safety checks, allowing the aircraft to resume active service.
The UK remains very grateful for the support and collaboration of the Indian authorities and airport teams throughout the repair and recovery process. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our defence partnership with India."
The British fighter jet had reportedly incurred a parking charge ranging between Rs 15,000 to 20,000 per day for 22 days as per the norms of Airport Economic Regulatory Authority of India. The fee for using the hangar facility at the international airport from July 6 to the time of its departure will be charged by AI Engineering Services Ltd, which owns the hangar and offers Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.
The authorities had also kept a Plan B ready in the event of the engineers failing to resolve the technical snag. The alternative was to partially dismantle the jet and transport it back to the United Kingdom using a military cargo aircraft.
Earlier, despite multiple repair attempts, the fifth-generation Stealth aircraft remained grounded due to unresolved technical faults. The issue primarily involved a hydraulic system failure, which had rendered the jet unfit for flight.
Hydraulics are critical in fighter jets, as they control essential functions such as landing gear, brakes and flight control systems.
The F-35B Lightning II Stealth Fighter is one of the most advanced and expensive jets in the world and is part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific region. This carrier group recently completed a joint maritime exercise with the Indian Navy.
There were also interesting episodes related to the aircraft. Kerala Tourism had used the stranded F-35 B in a witty social media campaign. A poster showcased the jet against the backdrop of coconut trees and lush greenery. The caption, attributed to the jet, read: "Kerala is such an amazing place, I don't want to leave. Recommend." It also gives the destination a five-star rating.
This unique marketing strategy with a touch of humour went viral on social media.
Previously, an unusual OLX ad featuring the jet had also gone viral, listing it for $4 million.
