More than five weeks since its unscheduled landing in Kerala, the British Royal Navy’s F-35B fighter jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram airport, despite the resolution of its technical issues. The fifth-generation stealth aircraft, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, had developed a hydraulic fault mid-flight, forcing its pilot to request an emergency landing on 14 June.
The aircraft was seen being towed into a hangar on Monday, signalling fresh preparations, yet defence officials have stated that the jet will not take off immediately. “The aircraft will not leave today and the exact date of its departure is yet to be confirmed,” said an official overseeing the process.
The advanced short take-off and vertical landing aircraft, developed by Lockheed Martin, was flying from the United Kingdom to Australia when it encountered technical trouble. Poor weather conditions and fuel concerns further compelled the pilot to divert to Thiruvananthapuram, the nearest emergency airfield approved for such landings. The Indian Air Force (IAF) facilitated the landing and provided subsequent logistical assistance, including refuelling.
Also read: After 5-week halt, F-35B fighter to fly from Kerala on July 22
Initially parked on the tarmac through the Kerala monsoon, the aircraft was later moved indoors to an Air India hangar after prolonged rains made outdoor repairs untenable. Though the British Navy initially declined offers to relocate the plane, “common sense prevailed,” said one airport official, and the aircraft was shifted to better shelter by early July.
Repairs were carried out by a 24-member technical delegation flown in from the United Kingdom, comprising 14 Royal Air Force engineers and 10 support personnel. The primary issue—a faulty hydraulic valve—has now been fixed. After thorough technical assessments, officials have said the fighter jet has received clearance to fly.
Despite the clearance, final decisions regarding the aircraft’s movement rest with British authorities. There is speculation that the jet may be airlifted back via a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, although no confirmation has been issued.
The incident has highlighted both the operational risks involved in long-haul military sorties and the logistical dependencies that exist in strategic maritime partnerships. The UK Carrier Strike Group, which includes the Prince of Wales and the F-35B fleet, recently concluded a PASSEX (Passage Exercise) with the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea—their first such engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
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