A British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet has been grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India for nearly two weeks after a dramatic emergency landing. The incident, which occurred on June 14, 2025, has captured global attention as the advanced aircraft, valued at over $100 million, remains immobilized due to a critical hydraulic system failure.
The F-35B was conducting routine operations as part of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group when it encountered severe weather and low fuel, forcing the emergency landing. Despite immediate repair efforts by Royal Navy technicians, the jet has yet to be cleared for takeoff. A specialized technical team from Lockheed Martin has been deployed, but their attempts to resolve the issue have so far been unsuccessful.
The aircraft is currently secured under tight surveillance by the Central Industrial Security Force, with access restricted to UK and US personnel to protect its advanced stealth systems. Meanwhile, the unexpected stay at the airport has raised eyebrows regarding parking fees, estimated at around $28,000 per day, potentially totaling over $3,700 for the duration of its stay.
As speculation swirls online about the reasons for the prolonged downtime—ranging from mechanical failures to theories of interference from Indian radar systems—the UK faces a growing PR challenge. If repairs are not successful soon, the Royal Air Force may need to airlift the F-35B back home, a costly and logistically complex operation.
With the situation still evolving, defense analysts and military enthusiasts alike are watching closely. Will the F-35B fly out of Kerala under its own power, or will it be airlifted home? The clock is ticking, and answers are urgently needed.
