Jet F-35B stationed in India, slated for disassembling and transportation back to Britain aboard a C-17 aircraft.
The F-35B Lightning II, Britain's most advanced fighter jet, is set to undergo a unique operation at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India. The jet, which made an emergency landing at the airport on June 14, 2025, due to adverse weather and fuel shortage during joint maritime exercises, will be dismantled for transportation back to the UK.
The aircraft developed an engineering issue on the ground, involving hydraulic failure, which prevented it from taking off again immediately. A team of 24 UK aviation engineers, accompanied by Royal Air Force crew, arrived on a Royal Air Force Airbus A400M aircraft to inspect and begin repairs on the fighter jet at the airport's Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.
Repair attempts are underway with specialist equipment brought by the UK team. However, due to the complexity and condition of the jet, the plan involves dismantling the aircraft for transportation back to the UK. This dismantling is being done as part of a repair protocol coordinated with Indian authorities and the Indian Air Force.
The actual transportation back to the UK will be carried out via a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft. The logistical operation is complex, as it requires dismantling, securing, and safely loading a highly sensitive and valuable stealth fighter jet, valued at over $110 million, onto the cargo plane.
The dismantling process involves removing the wings and other components to fit the airframe into the C-17's cargo bay. Every move and screw is being logged and verified to minimize the risk of a data breach, as the operation carries its own risks.
The UK Ministry of Defence has expressed gratitude for Indian support and cooperation, highlighting the smooth collaboration in handling this unusual and delicate situation. The jet has sat under monsoon rains at the airport while engineers tried unsuccessfully to fix the problem on the ground.
The dismantling and transportation of the F-35B Lightning II are being carried out by a 40-strong team of aviation engineers, and only engineers certified by the manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, are authorized to touch the aircraft. The operation is high-stakes and involves military security and data risks, but with the combined efforts of British and Indian authorities, the fighter jet is expected to return safely to the UK.
- The dismantling of the F-35B Lightning II, a testament to advanced technology in robotics and aerospace, is being carried out by a team of certified engineers, demonstrating the collaboration between the UK and Indian industries.
- The complicated logistical operation, an intricate dance of science and finance, involves dismantling, securing, and safely loading the high-value stealth fighter jet onto a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, showcasing the integration of energy and technology in transportation.
- With the aid of specialist equipment, innovation plays a crucial role in the repair attempts, ensuring the F-35B Lightning II, a symbol of Britain's most advanced military technology, can be returned to its home country.
- As the F-35B Lightning II's vulnerable data is at risk during the dismantling and transportation process, extreme care is being taken to minimize the potential for a data breach, highlighting the importance of data security in the modern age.
