Expert team from UK to inspect stranded F-35B jet at Thiruvananthapuram airport

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Thiruvananthapuram: A 17-member expert team from the UK, including personnel from the manufacturer of F-35B fighter jet, arrived at Thiruvananthapuram airport on a special flight on Sunday and will assess the snag of the stranded plane.

The team will inspect the fighter jet and decide on the next course of action — whether to repair it or transport it out. The personnel arrived on an Airbus Atlas aircraft and the flight left soon after landing with the crew and technicians. The team moved the stricken fighter jet from bay 4 to the maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) hangar of Air India.

The experts will inspect the aircraft, which has been stranded at the airport for the past 24 days, and may recommend dismantling and transporting the jet if repairs fail, sources said. This is the first time an F-35B fighter jet has been stranded in a foreign country without repair after landing in an emergency.

A British high commission spokesperson said, "A UK engineering team has been 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 MRO facility and are in discussions to finalise arrangements with relevant authorities. In line with standard procedure, the aircraft will be moved following the arrival of UK engineers, who are carrying specialist equipment necessary for the movement and repair process," the spokesperson said.

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