Members of India's Central Industrial Security Force had been guarding the jet as it sat in the open (Picture: CISF) — Members of India's Central Industrial Security Force guarded the stealth jet before the decision was made to bring it into a hangar (Picture: CISF)

Navy

Stranded Royal Navy F-35B moved into hangar as UK engineers arrive in India

Engineers from the UK have arrived in India to assess the stricken Royal Navy F-35B that has been there for around three weeks.

The Lightning has been stuck at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala since landing there following an emergency diversion.

The F-35B had been kept outside but has now been brought into a hangar so the engineering team can carry out a full assessment ahead of making any repairs.

The F-35 is the UK's most advanced combat aircraft, and landing in a public place like a civilian airport for an aircraft like this is not ideal.

Members of India's Central Industrial Security Force had been guarding the HMS Prince of Wales-based jet as it sat in the open.

There had been concerns about India – or anyone else – getting a look at the technology, because while India does have a strong relationship with the UK, it also has close ties with Russia.

And the aircraft had been stuck there so long that the local tourist board even poked fun at the aircraft's predicament.

"Kerala, the destination you'll never want to leave," the tourist board said in a post on X with an image of the F-35B on the Tarmac in front of some palm trees.

Kerala Tourism homed in on the F-35's plight to promote the state to visitors (Picture: Kerala Tourism) — Kerala Tourism homed in on the F-35's plight to promote the state in a humorous way to visitors (Picture: Kerala Tourism)

But work is now underway to rectify the situation.

A spokesperson for the British High Commission said: "A UK engineering team has deployed to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to assess and repair the UK F-35B aircraft, which landed following an emergency diversion.

"The UK has accepted the offer of a space in the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.

"In line with standard procedure, the aircraft has been moved following the arrival of UK engineers, who are carrying specialist equipment necessary for the movement and repair process.

"The UK remains very grateful for the continued support and collaboration of the Indian authorities and airport teams."

This is where the aircraft should be - back on HMS Prince of Wales on Carrier Strike Group 25 (Picture: MOD) — This is where the aircraft should be – back on HMS Prince of Wales on Carrier Strike Group 25 (Picture: MOD)

No official details have emerged as to exactly what is wrong with the aircraft or what needs to be done to make it airworthy once more.

However, the preferred option would be to repair the aircraft so it can take off from the airport under its own steam.

A less favourable option would be to partially dismantle it so it can be flown from Thiruvananthapuram on board a cargo aircraft such as a C-17 Globemaster.

For more reports about Carrier Strike Group 25, click here.