SOURCE: AFI
A British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet has been stranded for over 10 days at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala after it made an unscheduled landing and subsequently developed an engineering fault. The incident, which has attracted considerable attention, has become an embarrassing situation for the United Kingdom, particularly as the state-of-the-art aircraft remains exposed to the elements during India’s ongoing monsoon season.
In an official statement, a spokesperson for the British High Commission in Delhi confirmed, “We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. We thank the Indian authorities for their continued support.”
The F-35B, known for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, reportedly encountered a technical snag shortly after landing. With no immediate support infrastructure available locally for such a high-end combat aircraft, the jet has remained parked in open view on the tarmac—exposing it to persistent rain, high humidity, and coastal moisture that characterizes Kerala’s monsoon season.
The prolonged exposure has raised serious concerns about potential corrosion or degradation of sensitive components, especially given the aircraft’s reliance on cutting-edge stealth materials, composites, and tightly sealed airframe structures. Defence experts warn that continuous environmental exposure without appropriate protective measures could necessitate more extensive inspection and maintenance, complicating the repair process further.
British officials have confirmed that the jet will be moved to the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility hangar at the airport, but only once specialist equipment and engineering teams from the UK arrive. The delay in moving the aircraft to a sheltered space is being viewed as a logistical and diplomatic misstep, especially given the jet’s symbolic importance to British air power and NATO interoperability.
The F-35B is a flagship fifth-generation aircraft operated by the UK’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, often deployed aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. The fact that one has been grounded abroad and left vulnerable on a foreign civilian airport’s apron has caused embarrassment to the UK defence establishment, while also drawing international curiosity.
This incident also underscores the challenges associated with global deployments of advanced Western fighter platforms, particularly those that require specialized support infrastructure and personnel. Unlike legacy aircraft, fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 cannot be serviced with standard aviation tools or expertise, complicating overseas operations if an emergency arises.
As of now, no official timeline has been given for the completion of repairs or the return of the aircraft to active duty. With Indian authorities offering full cooperation and logistical support, the UK is racing against time—and weather—to retrieve one of its most prized aerial assets.
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