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Key Points

A British F-35 stealth fighter has been stuck in Kerala since mid-June after an emergency landing due to hydraulic failure. The Indian Air Force assisted with refuelling and logistics while UK technicians work on repairs. The advanced jet, part of the HMS Prince of Wales carrier group, remains grounded with no confirmed departure date. This incident follows recent joint naval drills between India and the UK in the Arabian Sea.

Key Points: UK Navy F-35 Fighter Jet Grounded in Kerala Since June Hydraulic Failure

  • UK F-35 made emergency landing in Kerala on June 14
  • Hydraulic valve failure forced grounding at Thiruvananthapuram airport
  • Indian Air Force provided refuelling and logistical support
  • UK technical team working on repairs, departure date uncertain
2 min read

UK Navy's F-35 fighter jet remains grounded in Kerala

A British F-35 stealth fighter remains stranded in Thiruvananthapuram after emergency landing due to hydraulic failure, awaiting repairs.

"The aircraft developed a hydraulic failure, and possibly, it would be taken back in a military transport aircraft – Defence Officials"

Thiruvananthapuram, July 21

The British Navy's F-35 fighter aircraft, which remained grounded in Kerala with a hydraulic valve failure, since making an emergency landing on June 14, was on Monday seen being towed into a hangar at the Thiruvananthapuram airport here.

Officials said that the aircraft will not leave today and the exact date of its departure is yet to be confirmed.

On June 14, the aircraft operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales was undertaking a routine sortie outside Indian ADIZ when it requested to land at the Thiruvananthapuram airport, which was earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield.

The Indian Air Force provided all required support and assisted in the process, including in refuellingA technical team of the UK Royal Air Force had arrived to repair it and the 5th generation stealth fighter aircraft was parked at the Bay in the airport for many days.

The aircraft developed a hydraulic failure, and possibly, it would be taken back in a military transport aircraft, defence officials said on June 14.

It was later moved to Air india hanger where a team from the UK were brought to repair the fighter jet.F-35Bs are highly advanced stealth jets, built by Lockheed Martin, and are prized for their short take-off and vertical landing capability.

Earlier, the Indian Navy and the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group (UK CSG25) conducted a joint naval drill, commonly known as a Passage Exercise (PASSEX), in the western Arabian Sea.

This marked the UK Strike Group's "first major engagement" after entering the Indo-Pacific region.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Hope our defense experts are getting a good look at this stealth technology while it's here! 😉 Jokes aside, it's good to see India being a reliable partner for emergency situations.
A
Aman W
The repair costs must be astronomical! Meanwhile in Kerala, we still have potholes on roads that take months to fix. Priorities, no? 😅
N
Nisha Z
Respectfully, I think the article could have explained more about why this particular airport was chosen as the emergency landing spot. Was it because of our superior facilities or just geographical convenience?
V
Vikram M
This shows the strategic importance of Kerala's airports. Our state isn't just about tourism - we're playing a role in international defense cooperation too! #KeralaPride
K
Karthik V
Interesting that they're using Air India's hangar. Does this mean our civilian infrastructure is good enough to handle advanced military aircraft? That's impressive!

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