A $110 million British stealth fighter jet has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala, India, since June 14, drawing global attention and raising concerns about military readiness, operational protocols, and international security coordination.
Jet Grounded After Weather Diversion
The F-35B Lightning II, among the most advanced jets in the Royal Navy’s fleet, was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram airport during a sortie over the Indian Ocean due to adverse weather conditions. Unable to return to the HMS Prince of Wales, the aircraft made a safe emergency landing but soon developed a technical malfunction that left it grounded.
Since then, multiple engineering teams from the Royal Navy have assessed the aircraft, but no solution has yet been implemented.
Deadly Russian Attack on Kyiv: Search for Survivors
The curious case of the British jet stuck in India
UK Accepts Local Help as Repair Efforts Continue
In a statement, the British High Commission confirmed that the UK has accepted an offer to move the jet to the airport’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility. A UK engineering team equipped with specialized tools is expected to arrive to complete repairs and safety checks.
“The aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed,” the Commission noted.
To safeguard the jet’s classified systems, six Royal Air Force (RAF) officers are currently guarding the aircraft around the clock.
British Parliament and Analysts Question Response Time
The incident was raised in the UK House of Commons, where MP Ben Obese-Jecty asked what measures were being taken to secure the aircraft and expedite its recovery. Defense Minister Luke Pollard assured lawmakers that the jet remains under strict UK control and praised Indian authorities for their cooperation.
However, Dr Sameer Patil from the Observer Research Foundation questioned the Royal Navy’s preparedness.
“They can either fix it or extract it using a C-17 Globemaster,” Patil said.
“If this had happened in enemy territory, would they have taken this much time? Where’s the SOP?”
Russia becomes first state to recognise Afghanistan’s Taliban government
Kerala Tourism Turns Incident Into a Viral Moment
Kerala Tourism capitalized on the situation with a cheeky post on X (formerly Twitter), sharing an AI-generated image of the jet with coconut palms in the background, captioned: “Kerala, the destination you’ll never want to leave.”
Social media users joined in, joking that the F-35B was listed online for $4 million with “automatic parking, brand-new tyres, and a gun for traffic violators.” Another post suggested the jet had stayed long enough to qualify for Indian citizenship—or that India should charge rent, payable via the Kohinoor diamond.
Boxing Champ Usyk Trains for Fight, Mind on Ukraine
Prolonged Delay Could Damage UK Navy’s Image
Dr Patil emphasized that each passing day the aircraft remains stranded damages the Royal Navy’s credibility.
“It’s now a global PR problem. The longer it stays, the more speculation and mockery it attracts.”
Originally thought to be a minor issue, the jet’s technical failure appears more serious than expected. Experts warn that the slow response reflects poorly on British military efficiency—especially in handling sensitive assets on foreign soil.
