The British Navy’s state-of-the-art F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, currently grounded in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram, will remain parked in the open, as the UK has declined India’s offer to move the aircraft into a protective hangar. The jet has been stationed at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for the past six days after an emergency landing.
According to sources, India extended logistical support, including the offer of hangar space to shield the aircraft from environmental exposure. However, the British Navy opted not to accept the assistance. While no official reason was provided, defence insiders suggest that the decision may stem from the high programme cost and sensitivity surrounding the American-origin F-35B, which is equipped with cutting-edge stealth and combat technologies.
The fighter jet, among the most advanced globally, made an unexpected landing at the airport on June 14 due to low fuel. The Indian Air Force later confirmed that it was an emergency landing and assured full technical and logistical support to the British team. Since then, the aircraft has remained under strict security and become a focal point for aviation enthusiasts and curious observers.
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The F-35B belongs to the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group, which is currently operating in the Indo-Pacific region and recently participated in joint naval exercises with the Indian Navy. The jet’s grounding has attracted attention not only due to its rarity in Indian airspace but also because of the ongoing efforts to restore it to operational status.
British aviation engineers and Royal Navy technical crews have been working on-site to resolve a hydraulic system malfunction that has kept the aircraft grounded. Despite intensive efforts over several days, the issue has not yet been resolved, preventing the jet from returning to its carrier. The pilot and technical crew remain stationed at the airport, continuing repairs while maintaining communication with both British and Indian defence officials.
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