VOI World/ desk
A British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Kerala, since June 14 after making an emergency landing during a joint exercise with the Indian Navy. Low fuel and adverse weather forced the pilot to divert and land safely. While the jet was refuelled, a hydraulic malfunction prevented it from returning to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier.
Initial repair efforts by a small British technical crew onboard the carrier were unsuccessful. Now, a 40-member team of UK engineers, along with a specialised tow vehicle, will arrive in Kerala on July 5 to inspect the jet, transport it to the Air India MRO hangar, and perform essential repairs. If on-site fixes fail, the aircraft may be disassembled and airlifted back to the UK.
The F-35B, valued at around $110 million, remains under 24/7 guard by CISF personnel. Its prolonged stay has sparked light-hearted social media reactions and even become part of Kerala’s tourism campaign. However, experts warn that the ongoing delays could hurt the credibility of the British Royal Navy’s cutting-edge fighter fleet.
India’s Air Force and airport authorities are coordinating closely with UK defence teams to support the recovery operation. The episode also demonstrates growing military cooperation between India and the UK.
This incident marks a rare and high-profile case of advanced Western fighter technology landing in India – even if temporarily – and highlights broader geopolitical and technical collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
