Expert team to arrive soon for repair works on British fighter jet grounded in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 40-member expert team is likely to arrive within a few days to repair the British fighter jet that made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram airport. The aircraft is presently parked in an open area at the airport.

The CISF has provided tight security for the aircraft. A media reported that the British authorities will have to pay rent for using the airport. The government will decide how much to pay, according to the information.

The F-35B fighter jet, which took off from the British Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, which was traveling in the Indo-Pacific region, landed in Thiruvananthapuram on June 14.

The Indian Navy and the British Navy were conducting a joint military exercise called PASSEX in the Arabian Sea. The aircraft was taking off from a warship as part of the exercise. Due to adverse weather conditions, the return of the warship was not possible. The pilot had sought permission to land in Thiruvananthapuram after running out of fuel. The return flight was only possible after the aircraft's hydraulic system was repaired.

The British Navy had earlier refused to allow the British fighter jet to be moved to an Indian hangar.