Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

British F-35B Fighter Jet Remains Stranded in Kerala for Nearly Three Weeks Due to Technical Fault

A state-of-the-art British fighter jet, the F-35B Lightning II, has been grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India, for almost three weeks, leaving defence experts and the public both surprised and amused. The prolonged stay of this advanced aircraft, which costs around $110 million, has sparked curiosity worldwide about how such a sophisticated fighter jet has remained stuck for so long.

Unexpected Landing Due to Bad Weather

The F-35B, which is operated by the British Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, landed at the Kerala airport on 14 June. It was returning to its base on the British Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, after flying over the Indian Ocean as part of its deployment exercises. However, due to unexpected bad weather conditions, the pilot was unable to land the jet on the moving ship, leading to a precautionary landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport.

While the landing was smooth and safe, shortly afterwards the jet developed a technical issue that made it unfit for flight. Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales, who reached the site quickly, examined the aircraft to fix the fault. However, despite their efforts, they could not resolve the problem, leading to an extended stay for the fighter jet in India.

Repair Efforts Underway

Given the complexity of the technical fault and the lack of necessary specialised tools onboard the British carrier, the UK government decided to move the fighter jet to a secure repair centre within the airport premises. The repair plan includes waiting for a team of engineers to arrive from the United Kingdom with specific equipment needed to restore the aircraft to flying condition.

The British armed forces minister told Parliament that the jet remains under the full control of the UK, and thanked Indian authorities for their cooperation in keeping the aircraft safe. “We are working closely with Indian officials to ensure the aircraft is protected, and it will return to flying duties once repairs and safety checks are completed,” he said.

Airport officials confirmed that six officers from the British Royal Air Force are guarding the jet round-the-clock to ensure its security. The technicians from the UK are expected to arrive on Saturday to begin the crucial repairs.

Options for Returning the Jet

Experts like Dr Sameer Patil, a strategic affairs analyst, explained that the British Navy has two options. “They can either repair the jet in India and fly it back to their carrier or send a heavy-lift cargo plane, such as a C-17 Globemaster, to transport it back to its base,” he said.

Transporting the jet via cargo aircraft would be logistically challenging and costly, but it remains an option if repairs on Indian soil take longer than planned.

Questions Raised in British Parliament

This unusual situation has also caught the attention of British lawmakers. An opposition MP questioned the armed forces minister about the steps being taken to safeguard the stranded jet and sought details on how long it would take before the aircraft is operational again.

The minister assured Parliament that the Royal Air Force team in India is looking after the jet well and that the situation is under control, with all protocols being followed.

Public Reactions and Viral Jokes

While defence experts are analysing the incident from a strategic perspective, the public has found humour in the jet’s extended stay. Social media platforms have been flooded with jokes, memes, and edited images featuring the stranded F-35B. Some users joked that the aircraft should now be granted Indian citizenship because it has been in Kerala for so long. Others suggested that India should charge rent for parking the jet or demand the return of the Kohinoor diamond as payment for parking fees.

Joining the light-hearted commentary, the Kerala Tourism Department posted an edited picture of the jet on its official X account. The photo showed the jet parked on the runway with Kerala’s iconic coconut trees in the background. The caption read, “Kerala, the destination you’ll never want to leave,” poking fun at the situation by suggesting even the modern fighter jet finds it difficult to depart from God’s Own Country.

Reputation Concerns for British Navy

Despite the humour, defence analysts have pointed out the serious concerns this situation raises about the British Navy’s operational readiness. Dr Patil noted that while technical issues are common with high-tech military equipment, the time taken to repair the jet raises questions. He said, “The longer the jet remains grounded, the worse it looks for the British Royal Navy. Militaries always have emergency plans for such situations, and this incident makes people wonder why it is taking so long to fix a grounded aircraft.”

He added, “If this had happened in enemy territory, would they take so much time to recover the jet? Such delays are damaging for the reputation of a professional navy like the UK’s.”

About the F-35B Lightning II

The F-35B Lightning II, developed by Lockheed Martin, is known for its stealth capabilities and advanced avionics. What sets the F-35B apart from other models is its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability, allowing it to operate from aircraft carriers and short runways with ease. It is a vital asset for the British Royal Navy’s operations and plays a central role in the carrier strike group deployments worldwide.

Looking Ahead

For now, the world continues to watch as the British engineers prepare to repair the fighter jet in Kerala. While it remains a matter of national pride and global humour, defence experts warn that delays like these underline the need for better contingency planning by even the most advanced militaries. The focus now is on swiftly returning the jet to active duty without further embarrassment or operational disruption for the British Royal Navy.