NEW DELHI: A cutting-edge British F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, valued at over $100 million, has remained stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for four days following an emergency landing on Saturday night.
The stealth jet — part of the UK Royal Navy’s flagship carrier HMS Prince of Wales — was on a routine mission over international waters when it reportedly suffered a hydraulic system malfunction and was forced to divert. Bad weather and rough sea conditions prevented it from returning to the carrier, located about 100 nautical miles off Kerala’s coast.
The Indian Air Force, using its IACCS radar system, coordinated with civil air traffic control to facilitate the emergency landing at 9:30 pm on June 14. Thiruvananthapuram is one of the Royal Navy’s pre-designated diversion airfields in the region.
That same night, Royal Navy technicians were flown in by helicopter to begin repairs. However, technical issues have persisted, grounding the jet beyond its expected Tuesday departure.
Following online speculation, officials clarified that the pilot was not seated next to the jet but was temporarily moved to the airport’s Emergency Medical Centre along with arriving crew members.
Three Royal Navy personnel, including the pilot, remain in Kerala to oversee repairs. The CISF has deployed an armed guard around Bay 4, where the fighter is parked, while a local agency has stepped in for ground handling. Airport staff are also providing Western meals for the British crew unfamiliar with local fare.
The F-35B, built by Lockheed Martin, is a fifth-generation stealth aircraft with short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities — making it key to the UK’s naval strike force.