Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to recover the Royal Air Force F-35B stranded at Thiruvananthapuram civilian airport.

We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. Additional support is being provided by an engineering team deploying from the UK. The aircraft will be recovered once it is serviceable.

We thank the Indian Authorities for their continued support. The safe landing, logistics and continuing organisational support provided by India in responding to this situation further demonstrates the close coordination and deepening relationship that exists between the Armed Forces of the UK and India.