Indian military provides refuge to a Royal Navy F-35B

Representative image: An F35-B Lightening II fighter

By Ajai Shukla

A Royal Navy F35-B Lightning II aircraft --  also termed the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) -- has been standing on the tarmac at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India since June 14th. 

Judging from the area the F35-B Lightning II was operating in and the choice of Thiruvananthapuram as a diversionary airport, it would appear that the aircraft was from the complement of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. 

The Royal Navy carrier has been transiting through the Northern Indian Ocean after completing an operational deployment in the Western Pacific and Indo-Pacific region.

 

Describing the incident as "a normal occurrence of diversion by F-35B," an Indian Air Force (IAF) spokesperson said the IAF is "fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance being given, and the IAF is in coordination with all agencies." 

Acknowledging the incident, a British High Commission spokesperson said: “A UK F-35B aircraft is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after developing an engineering issue. The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft.

 

“The aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed. Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for their continued support.”

The ongoing incident illustrates the value of Indian military assistance to American and European forces as they project power to the South China Sea and the Western Pacific, where China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) seeks to establish its hegemony.