UK’s fighter jet to leave for its base from Kerala on Tuesday

After being grounded for more than a month, a British F-35B Lightning II fighter jet that made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is finally cleared for departure. The stealth aircraft, part of the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group on board HMS Prince of Wales, which landed on June 14 will take off on Tuesday following extensive repairs.

The aircraft was grounded after it reportedly encountered a critical hydraulic system failure mid-flight. With fuel levels dropping rapidly and adverse weather closing in, the pilot diverted to Thiruvananthapuram—an airfield designated for emergency recovery—where the Indian Air Force swiftly stepped in to assist.

#WATCH | Kerala: The British Navy's F-35 fighter aircraft, which made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14, takes off from the airport. pic.twitter.com/RT9vlsL73W