A Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India, six days after making an emergency landing on June 14th. The stealth fighter, valued at over $100 million, experienced a suspected hydraulic failure while preparing for departure after initially landing due to low fuel. The incident has sparked significant attention, highlighting the deepening defense cooperation between the UK and India, while also raising logistical and strategic considerations.
The F-35B, operating from the UK's aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, was conducting routine flying outside India's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) when it was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram, which had been designated as its emergency recovery airfield. According to Indian Air Force (IAF) officials, the IAF extended all necessary support, including refuelling, after the jet landed citing low fuel. However, as the aircraft prepared to leave, a hydraulic failure prevented takeoff.
A maintenance team from the British carrier was dispatched to repair the issue, but their efforts proved unsuccessful. A larger team from the United Kingdom is now expected to arrive in Kerala to undertake the necessary technical work. Indian media reports indicate that the aircraft may be transported back aboard a military cargo aircraft, depending on the outcome of these further repair attempts.
The grounding of the F-35B has triggered public speculation, particularly given the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East. Some observers initially questioned whether the incident signaled broader defense ties between the UK and India or was somehow related to the regional instability. However, defense analysts suggest that the event primarily reflects an established framework of military cooperation between the two countries, rather than a direct response to any immediate crisis.
Chris Blackburn, a British political and security analyst, noted that the incident is "symbolic of growing trust and deeper defence ties, especially in joint training, technology sharing, and strategic alignment" between the UK and India. The unscheduled landing has also brought attention to the existing arrangements for British naval aircraft operating in the Indian Ocean region, where Thiruvananthapuram has been previously designated as a diversion airfield.
The Royal Navy's swift response to the situation involved airlifting technicians and support staff aboard a UK A400M transport aircraft to assess and repair the fighter. A dedicated technical team has reportedly identified the problem and is working to restore the jet to operational status. Once repairs are complete and the aircraft passes post-maintenance flight checks, the Royal Navy intends to return the jet to its carrier group.
Complicating the situation, the Royal Navy has reportedly declined an offer from Air India to house the grounded F-35B in a hangar at the airport. Sources suggest that concerns over "protected technologies" may have influenced this decision, as the aircraft remains parked outdoors under a strict security cordon. While the Royal Navy may reconsider moving the jet inside a hangar for final inspection and repair, the initial reluctance underscores the sensitivity surrounding the advanced technology embedded in the F-35B.
The F-35B is the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the Joint Strike Fighter family, operated by both the U.S. Marine Corps and the Royal Navy. The aircraft involved in the emergency landing was part of the HMS Prince of Wales' carrier air wing, currently deployed on a multinational mission. The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in maintaining and operating advanced military aircraft, particularly in remote locations.
