A Royal Navy F-35B Lightning fighter jet, which has been grounded in India for over three weeks, is finally undergoing repairs. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala on June 14 after encountering bad weather during a sortie over the Indian Ocean. The pilots requested permission to land after being unable to return to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier.

The incident has garnered significant attention, with the jet's extended stay in India sparking curiosity and even inspiring memes. The Kerala tourist board joined in, creating an advertisement featuring the jet giving the state a five-star review.

A team of UK engineers has arrived in India to commence repairs on the F-35B Lightning. The British High Commission in India confirmed the arrival of the engineers and the commencement of repair work. The High Commission also expressed gratitude to the Indian authorities for their support and collaboration. "UPDATE: A team of UK engineers has arrived in India to commence repairs on the UK F-35B aircraft. Repairs are underway on the aircraft, which has now been moved to the maintenance hangar. We are grateful for the continued support and collaboration of the Indian authorities," the British High Commission in India said in a statement.

Since the emergency landing, engineers from HMS Prince of Wales had assessed the aircraft but were unable to fix it. Subsequently, a team of approximately 25 technical experts from the British Royal Air Force was dispatched to India to evaluate and carry out the necessary repairs. The team arrived aboard a Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas, carrying specialized equipment for the repair process. The F-35B has since been moved to the airport's Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility. The relocation aims to minimize disruptions to airport operations.

The F-35B Lightning, built by Lockheed Martin, is a highly advanced stealth jet valued at over $110 million. It is known for its short take-off and vertical landing capabilities. Six crew members from the F-35B have been stationed at the airport, working in shifts to closely monitor the aircraft.

The grounded jet has led to speculation about potential security risks, given its advanced stealth technology. However, British officials have stated they have no concerns about espionage and appreciate the Indian authorities' efforts to safeguard the aircraft.

While earlier reports suggested the possibility of dismantling the aircraft and airlifting it back to the UK, the focus has now shifted to on-site repairs. If the engineering team is unable to repair the aircraft to make it flight-worthy, it may still need to be dismantled and transported via a larger cargo plane. The British High Commission has stated that the aircraft will return to active service after completing repairs and safety checks. However, they have not provided specific timelines or details regarding the repair process.