A British F-35B stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for over three days after it was compelled to make an emergency landing owing to a technical fault.
The aircraft, among the world’s most expensive and technologically advanced, had been operating with the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group in the Indo-Pacific. It diverted to the Kerala airport on Sunday morning after reportedly encountering low fuel levels.
According to defence sources, the aircraft continues to remain out of action due to a “technical snag.” The Indian Air Force (IAF), which facilitated the emergency diversion, termed the incident a “normal occurrence” and said it had extended logistical support to the British crew.
A Royal Navy AW101 Merlin helicopter arrived at the civilian airport a day later to retrieve the pilot, indicating that repairs or recovery of the jet may take longer than initially anticipated.
The F-35B is the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the fifth-generation fighter developed by Lockheed Martin under the multi-national F-35 programme. The B variant’s design enables deployment from aircraft carriers without catapult-assisted take-offs, a key advantage for navies like Britain’s that operate STOVL carriers.
Also read: British fighter jet makes emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram
Despite its cutting-edge features – including a radar-evading profile and advanced sensor fusion systems – the aircraft has been the subject of recurring scrutiny over ballooning costs and persistent mechanical issues.
The F-35B has previously experienced complications involving its lift fan and vertical landing mechanisms, both crucial for operations from confined deck spaces. The current grounding in Kerala adds to a growing list of service interruptions linked to the platform.
The aircraft was returning to its strike group after completing joint exercises with the Indian Navy when it was diverted.
In recent months, F-35 variants have seen active deployment across various conflict zones. Notably, the Israeli Air Force has utilised the jet in precision operations targeting Iranian infrastructure – a testament to the fighter’s role in modern Western air dominance.
While officials from the Royal Navy have not issued a formal statement on the status of the grounded aircraft, efforts are reportedly under way to assess whether it will be repaired in India or retrieved via aerial or sea-based transport.
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