A British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning fighter jet, which made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala on June 14, 2025, due to an engineering issue, has been towed to a hangar as a team of UK engineers begins repair work. The advanced stealth fighter, part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, encountered technical difficulties after adverse weather and low fuel forced it to divert to the Indian airport.
The incident has garnered significant attention, with the grounded jet becoming a subject of curiosity, memes, and even a feature in a Kerala Tourism campaign. The unexpected spectacle of a high-end military aircraft stranded at a civilian airport has fueled speculation and debate, with questions raised about the nature of the technical failure and the implications for the aircraft's sensitive technology.
An expert team of aviation engineers from the UK arrived in Kerala on July 6, 2025, aboard a Royal Air Force Airbus A400M. Sources say the team consists of around 17 engineers from the U.K. and the U.S. where the manufacturer Lockheed Martin is based. Their primary task is to assess the damage to the F-35B and determine the feasibility of conducting repairs on-site. The engineers will explore the possibility of fixing the engineering issues of the aircraft at the place where it is stationed now. The aircraft has since been moved to the airport's Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.
The F-35B, valued at over $110 million, is the world's only fifth-generation stealth fighter capable of short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL), designed for operations from smaller carriers and austere airfields. The aircraft's advanced technology and capabilities have led to heightened security measures, with an armed Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) detachment guarding the jet.
While the UK authorities initially expressed hope that the aircraft could be repaired and returned to active service, the delay in the arrival of the engineering team and the complexity of the issue have raised concerns. Initial reports suggested a hydraulic system malfunction may be affecting the jet's ability to take off and land safely.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has offered assistance in repairing the aircraft, but British officials reportedly declined, citing concerns about exposing sensitive stealth technology. Air India also offered hangar space to protect the aircraft from heavy rain, but this offer was initially declined before the British Navy agreed to move the jet into a hangar.
If on-site repairs prove unfeasible, the F-35B may need to be partially dismantled and airlifted back to the United Kingdom in a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft. The UK government has maintained that they are hopeful of the aircraft being returned to active service after repairs and safety checks are completed.
The incident has sparked a range of reactions, from lighthearted memes and tourism promotions to serious discussions about military capabilities and international relations. Despite the grounding incident, the UK government has announced plans to procure 15 more F-35B jets, signaling continued confidence in the aircraft and its role in national security.
