Kerala: Stranded British F-35B stealth fighter jet awaits engineers for repairs

IANS June 21, 2025 477 views

A British F-35B stealth fighter remains grounded in Kerala after an emergency landing last week. The jet, part of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, encountered a technical issue despite repair attempts. Lockheed Martin engineers are now expected to resolve the problem. Meanwhile, monsoon rains have raised concerns about the aircraft’s condition.

"Despite several attempts, the aircraft has remained unresponsive to take-off commands." – Royal Navy sources
Thiruvananthapuram, June 21: The British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, which made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport last Saturday, remains grounded even after a week.

Key Points

1

British F-35B made emergency landing in Kerala due to low fuel

2

Technical snag delays departure despite repair attempts

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Lockheed Martin engineers en route to resolve issue

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Monsoon rains raise concerns over jet’s prolonged exposure

The aircraft is now awaiting a team of engineers from Lockheed Martin, the jet’s American manufacturer, to resolve a persisting technical snag.

The advanced fifth-generation fighter, part of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific, was returning to its base after completing joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy when it made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport.

It was granted emergency clearance to land at the airport on June 14 after it reported critically low fuel levels.

Authorities -- including the Indian Air Force, Airport Authority of India, and other concerned agencies -- initially expected the aircraft to take off shortly after refuelling. However, a technical malfunction was soon detected, delaying its departure.

A Royal Navy helicopter later airlifted a team of British engineers and a replacement pilot to the site. Despite several attempts over the next few days, the aircraft has remained unresponsive to take-off commands.

Currently parked at Bay 4 of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport under tight security, the jet has drawn attention due to its prolonged stay and exposure to persistent monsoon rains, raising concerns about potential weather-related complications.

The F-35B is renowned for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, allowing it to operate from aircraft carriers and short runways. Despite its cutting-edge design, the ongoing issue has left British officials perplexed.

With all local efforts exhausted, the responsibility now falls on Lockheed Martin’s technical team, who are expected to arrive soon.

Meanwhile, the jet continues to attract curious onlookers and aviation enthusiasts -- though all must keep their distance from the restricted zone.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Interesting to see such advanced military tech up close in Kerala! 🇮🇳 But I hope our authorities are learning everything they can from this incident - we should be making our own stealth fighters soon. Make in India should include defense too!
P
Priya M.
Monsoon rains on a stealth fighter? 😅 Irony is that the world's most advanced jet is getting a traditional Kerala welcome with heavy rains! Jokes aside, hope the repairs happen soon and it doesn't become a permanent exhibit at TVM airport.
A
Arjun S.
Shows even the most advanced machines can fail. We should be careful before spending billions on foreign defense equipment. This incident proves the importance of having indigenous backup systems and maintenance capabilities.
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Sunita R.
The security arrangements must be costing a fortune! While it's fascinating, I hope the British government is bearing all expenses - from parking fees to security. Our taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill for their technical failures.
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Vikram J.
As an aviation enthusiast, this is a rare opportunity! Though I understand the security concerns, I wish they'd organize some controlled viewing for locals. How often do we get to see a F-35B in our backyard?
M
Meena P.
The joint exercises with Indian Navy must have been intense if their jet ended up in this state! Shows our defense forces are giving them a good challenge 😊 On serious note, hope the technical issues get resolved safely.
K
Karthik N.
While this is interesting, I'm more concerned about why we're allowing foreign military aircraft to

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Tags:
F-35B stealth fighter Lockheed Martin Thiruvananthapuram Airport British Royal Navy emergency landing Kerala