By News18
A British team of aviation engineers is expected to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5 to repair an F-35B fighter jet of Britain鈥檚 Royal Navy, weeks after the aircraft was grounded following an emergency landing at the airport last month.
A 40-member team is likely to arrive in India on a special flight and try to fix the technical issue plaguing the aircraft. They were earlier scheduled to arrive in Kerala on July 2, however, the visit was postponed for unknown reasons, news agency PTI reported, citing sources.
The fighter jet is currently parked at a bay in Thiruvananthapuram Airport and is being guarded by a six-member team from the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.
The F-35B jet, owned by Britain鈥檚 Royal Navy, might need to be dismantled for transport or flown out in one piece using a large special aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster.
The jet, worth over $110 million, is one of the most advanced fighter planes in the world. It made an emergency landing at the airport on June 14 due to a technical problem.
A spokesperson from the British High Commission said the plane is waiting for repairs. The UK has agreed to move the jet to the airport鈥檚 Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.
鈥淭he aircraft will be moved to a hangar once British engineers arrive with special tools, so that regular maintenance of other aircraft is not affected,鈥 the spokesperson said on June 27.
The F-35B fighter jet is unique because it can take off from a short distance and land vertically. This makes it perfect for use on smaller ships, limited runways, or remote airstrips.
After the emergency landing, the Indian Air Force said it is helping with repairs and will support the aircraft鈥檚 return.
(With PTI inputs)