British F-35B Fighter Jet Returns Home from India
(MENAFN) A British F-35B fighter jet that had been stranded in southern India since June has now taken off, following weeks of repairs, local media reported Tuesday.
The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on June 14 at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, a state in southern India, due to unspecified “technical issues.”
The jet remained grounded until a team of British engineers arrived to carry out necessary repairs.
According to the Indian Air Force, the F-35B was operating as part of a mission led by the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. The warship provided “all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft.”
To get the jet airborne again, a UK-based technical team was dispatched to India to perform on-site maintenance.
Previous media coverage had speculated that the fighter might need to be partly dismantled and transported back to the UK on a military cargo plane.
On Tuesday morning, Indian news outlets aired footage showing the jet taking off and leaving Indian airspace.
The incident also became an unexpected opportunity for local tourism promotion. Kerala, known for its scenic landscapes and coastal attractions, used the international spotlight to its advantage.
“Kerala is such an amazing place. I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend,” read a viral Kerala Tourism social media post featuring the jet parked near iconic coconut palm trees.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
