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4d ago

British Engineers Begin Repairs on F-35B Stranded at Kerala Airport

A UK engineering team is conducting detailed inspections in a dedicated hangar to evaluate whether the stealth fighter can be repaired locally or must be dismantled for airlift to Britain.

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Overview

  • On July 6–7, a Royal Air Force A400M Atlas delivered 24 UK engineers and specialized equipment to Thiruvananthapuram to begin repair operations on the hydraulic-failed F-35B.
  • The jet was towed into the Air India Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul hangar after UK teams accepted India’s offer of space at the MRO facility.
  • UK engineers are conducting detailed inspections to decide whether the jet’s hydraulic snag can be restored on-site or requires partial dismantling and airlift back to Britain aboard a C-17 Globemaster.
  • The prolonged grounding of the $110 million stealth fighter underscores the logistical challenges of sustaining fifth-generation jets far from their home bases.
  • India’s Air Force and Central Industrial Security Force provided landing clearance, refueling, security and hangar support, reflecting deepening defence cooperation between the two nations.