A British F-35B fighter jet, stuck for over five weeks at a Kerala airport, has departed for Darwin, Australia, after repairs were successfully completed.
F-35B Fighter Jet Finally Takes Off for Australia After Five-Week Delay
F-35B Fighter Jet Finally Takes Off for Australia After Five-Week Delay
State-of-the-art British aircraft leaves India after extensive repairs
The F-35B fighter jet, a cutting-edge model, has finally taken to the skies after being stranded in India for more than five weeks. The aircraft was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala on June 14 due to bad weather during a flight in the Indian Ocean and subsequently encountered technical issues that left it unable to fly.
The aircraft was recently returned to service after undergoing repairs at the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. An airport spokesperson confirmed the F-35B's departure to Darwin, likely necessitated by the presence of the HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy's flagship carrier, which is conducting joint exercises in the area.
In the meantime, HMS Prince of Wales kept the public updated via social media, sharing news about its ongoing operations. Notably, a team of 14 engineers from the UK Ministry of Defence were dispatched two weeks ago to undertake repairs on the aircraft. Speculation had arisen that failure to fix the jet could lead to an elaborate dismantling process to transport it back to the UK in a C-17 Globemaster plane.
The incident sparked widespread curiosity due to the advanced nature of the F-35B, built by Lockheed Martin and valued at nearly $110 million. While stranded, the aircraft garnered attention for its unique position on the tarmac, leading to humorous memes and discussions on social media, with some even joking that the jet was reluctant to leave the picturesque Kerala, known as "God's own country."
The peculiar situation of the British fighter jet also attracted mention in the House of Commons, highlighting the public's interest in this extraordinary case of a high-tech aircraft's unexpected delay abroad. The UK high commission in India and defense authorities have not commented on specifics related to the repair process, leaving many details unclear.
Follow us for the latest updates on international aviation and defense news.
The aircraft was recently returned to service after undergoing repairs at the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. An airport spokesperson confirmed the F-35B's departure to Darwin, likely necessitated by the presence of the HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy's flagship carrier, which is conducting joint exercises in the area.
In the meantime, HMS Prince of Wales kept the public updated via social media, sharing news about its ongoing operations. Notably, a team of 14 engineers from the UK Ministry of Defence were dispatched two weeks ago to undertake repairs on the aircraft. Speculation had arisen that failure to fix the jet could lead to an elaborate dismantling process to transport it back to the UK in a C-17 Globemaster plane.
The incident sparked widespread curiosity due to the advanced nature of the F-35B, built by Lockheed Martin and valued at nearly $110 million. While stranded, the aircraft garnered attention for its unique position on the tarmac, leading to humorous memes and discussions on social media, with some even joking that the jet was reluctant to leave the picturesque Kerala, known as "God's own country."
The peculiar situation of the British fighter jet also attracted mention in the House of Commons, highlighting the public's interest in this extraordinary case of a high-tech aircraft's unexpected delay abroad. The UK high commission in India and defense authorities have not commented on specifics related to the repair process, leaving many details unclear.
Follow us for the latest updates on international aviation and defense news.
