British F-35B Jet Set to Depart Kerala After Month-Long Grounding
Thiruvananthapuram: A British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet, grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala since mid-June, is scheduled to take off on Tuesday following successful repairs, an airport official confirmed . The advanced stealth aircraft, valued at over $110 million, has been a subject of intrigue and social media buzz during its extended stay in India.
The jet, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, made an emergency landing on June 14 due to low fuel and adverse weather conditions during a routine sortie over the Arabian Sea. After touching down safely, the aircraft developed a technical issue, identified as a suspected hydraulic failure, which prevented its return to the carrier. Initial assessments by engineers from HMS Prince of Wales determined that specialized expertise was required, prompting the deployment of a 21-member UK technical team, equipped with advanced tools, on July 6.
The repair process, which took approximately one week, was completed recently, and the jet was moved from an Air India hangar to the airport’s parking bay on Monday. “The fighter jet, after repairs, has been brought out of the hangar and is currently placed in the parking bay of the airport. It has been refueled. The jet will fly out of the airport on Tuesday,” the airport official told. The exact departure time remains undisclosed for security reasons.
The Indian Air Force played a key role in facilitating the emergency landing, coordinating with the UK team to ensure logistical support, including refueling and security provided by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The jet, initially stationed at a VIP aircraft bay, was guarded round-the-clock to protect its sensitive technology.
The F-35B’s prolonged presence at the civilian airport sparked widespread attention online, with memes and jokes circulating about its unexpected stay. Kerala Tourism capitalized on the situation, posting an AI-generated image of the jet against a backdrop of lush greenery, captioned, “Kerala is such an amazing place, I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend.” The lighthearted campaign highlighted the state’s scenic appeal, drawing both amusement and praise on social media.
Timeline of Events:
June 14: The F-35B, operating from HMS Prince of Wales, makes an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport due to low fuel and adverse weather. The Indian Air Force facilitates the safe landing.
June 15: The pilot is airlifted back to the carrier by a Royal Navy AW101 Merlin helicopter. The jet develops a technical snag, later identified as a hydraulic issue.
June 27: British authorities announce plans to move the jet to the airport’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility.
July 6: A 21-member UK technical team arrives with specialized equipment. The jet is towed to an Air India hangar for repairs.
July 21: Airport officials confirm repairs are complete, and the jet is moved to the parking bay for departure on July 22.
The successful repair marks the end of the jet’s 39-day stay in Kerala, closing a chapter that blended military logistics with unexpected cultural spotlight.
