Thiruvananthapuram, July 3, 2025 (agencies): A British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport nearly three weeks after making an emergency landing on June 14. The aircraft, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, diverted from its Indian Ocean flight path due to adverse weather and low fuel, forcing an unexpected landing at the civilian airport.
Despite multiple attempts by British military engineers to restore the aircraft, a persistent hydraulic system failure has left the jet non-operational. UK defense authorities have since announced plans to partially dismantle and airlift the multi-million-dollar jet back home using a C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.
British officials stressed that the jet has not been abandoned, and remains under round-the-clock Royal Air Force security. A team of up to 40 UK engineers is expected to arrive in Kerala to carry out the extraction, which has become both a logistical challenge and a point of viral interest—after Kerala Tourism humorously promoted the incident online with the tagline: “Kerala, the destination you’ll never want to leave.”
The F-35B, renowned for its short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, is among the UK’s most advanced military aircraft, featuring stealth systems and next-gen avionics. Both British and Indian officials have assured that classified technologies remain secure, and the incident has been managed with full diplomatic cooperation.
The situation has drawn attention in the UK Parliament, where lawmakers have raised questions about operational risk and contingency planning. Meanwhile, aviation analysts note the event underscores the complexities of power projection in far-flung theaters and the strategic reliance on allied partnerships during emergencies.