Kerala, July 7 - The British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, on July 6, 2025, stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India, for nearly a month, was finally moved to a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport for assessment and repairs. The advanced fifth-generation stealth aircraft, valued at over $110 million, had been grounded since June 14, 2025, following an emergency landing prompted by a combination of adverse weather conditions and a subsequent technical issue. The incident, which marked the first time an F-35B has been stranded in a foreign country, highlighted the complexities of maintaining cutting-edge military technology and underscored the strong defense cooperation between the United Kingdom and India.
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The F-35B, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group deployed in the Indo-Pacific, was conducting routine operations in the Indian Ocean when it encountered severe weather, preventing its return to the aircraft carrier stationed approximately 100 nautical miles off Kerala’s coast. The pilot, facing critically low fuel levels, issued an emergency transponder code and was granted clearance to land at Thiruvananthapuram, a pre-designated emergency recovery airfield. The Indian Air Force (IAF) facilitated the safe landing, providing immediate logistical support, including refueling, accommodation, and security arrangements. The aircraft was parked at Bay 4, typically reserved for VIP aircraft, under the vigilant guard of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Initial inspections by Royal Navy technicians from the HMS Prince of Wales revealed a hydraulic failure, a critical issue affecting the jet’s Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) capabilities. Despite attempts to resolve the problem, the complexity of the fault required specialized expertise and equipment unavailable locally. The jet remained on the tarmac for weeks, exposed to monsoon rains, as the UK weighed its options. Early reluctance to move the aircraft to a hangar, reportedly due to concerns over its sensitive stealth technology, led to discussions about potential parking fees, with estimates suggesting charges based on the jet’s 27-ton maximum take-off weight. Ultimately, the UK accepted an offer to relocate the aircraft to Air India’s MRO facility at the airport to minimize disruption to regular operations.
On July 6, a team of UK engineers, accompanied by specialized towing equipment, arrived aboard a Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas to assess and repair the jet. The British High Commission expressed gratitude for India’s continued support, emphasizing the close coordination between the IAF, Indian Navy, and airport authorities. The aircraft’s transfer to the MRO hangar marked a significant step toward restoring it to operational status, though no timeline for completion has been disclosed. If repairs prove unfeasible, the UK may airlift the jet back to a specialized facility using an RAF C-17 Globemaster III, a process that would require meticulous planning to safeguard the aircraft’s advanced systems. This incident, while a logistical challenge, reflects the deepening defense ties between the UK and India, demonstrated by their joint maritime exercises and collaborative response to this unprecedented situation.