SOURCE: AFI
A British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, one of the world’s most advanced and expensive combat aircraft, has been grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India, since June 14, 2025, following an emergency landing due to low fuel and a subsequent hydraulic system failure. Despite the incident’s significance, there has been a conspicuous lack of coverage in British media, prompting speculation about deliberate suppression by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Guy Gratton, a Chartered Aeronautical Engineer with qualifications as a commercial pilot, test pilot, and current flying instructor, has suggested that this silence may stem from the MoD’s efforts to downplay an “embarrassing” situation for the Royal Navy.
The F-35B, valued at over $100 million, was operating from the HMS Prince of Wales, a Royal Navy aircraft carrier stationed approximately 100 nautical miles off the Kerala coast, when it encountered trouble during a routine flight over the Arabian Sea. On the night of June 14, the pilot issued a distress signal citing critically low fuel levels, exacerbated by adverse weather conditions that prevented a safe return to the carrier. The jet was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram, a pre-designated emergency recovery airfield, where it landed safely around 9:30 PM local time.
Initial reports indicated that the aircraft was refueled and expected to depart by June 17. However, a hydraulic system failure was identified, grounding the jet further. Royal Navy technicians, airlifted from the HMS Prince of Wales, attempted repairs, but as of June 20, the aircraft remained stranded, with discussions underway about potentially transporting it back to the carrier via a military transport plane.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and local authorities have provided extensive support, including refueling, accommodation, and security for the jet, which is guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the airport’s Bay 4. Offers to relocate the aircraft to a hangar or build a temporary shed to protect it from the elements were reportedly declined by the Royal Navy, raising eyebrows about their reluctance to accept assistance.
Despite the high-profile nature of the incident, involving a cutting-edge stealth fighter and international cooperation, British media coverage has been notably absent. Guy Gratton, speaking on a news program hosted by Indian journalist Shiv Aroor, remarked that there is “nearly ZERO mention in British media” of the stranded F-35.
Gratton’s comments have fueled speculation about the MoD’s influence over media narratives. The F-35 program, already under scrutiny for its high costs and technical issues, is a cornerstone of the UK’s defense capabilities. The grounding of one of its jets in a foreign country, particularly during a joint exercise with the Indian Navy, could be seen as a public relations setback. The lack of coverage stands in stark contrast to the extensive reporting in Indian media, where the incident has sparked both serious analysis and lighthearted social media memes, including a satirical listing of the jet for sale on the second-hand platform OLX.
The prolonged grounding of the F-35B raises questions about the Royal Navy’s operational preparedness and the F-35 program’s reliability. The jet’s inability to return to the HMS Prince of Wales, even after initial repairs, highlights potential vulnerabilities in maintenance and logistics, particularly during overseas deployments. The decision to potentially airlift the jet back to the carrier via a transport plane further underscores the severity of the technical issues.
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