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A $110 million F‑35B Lightning stealth fighter jet of the UK's Royal Navy remains grounded in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, after it made an emergency landing on June 14 during a sortie over the Indian Ocean. Diverted due to bad weather and later struck by a technical fault, the jet couldn't return to the HMS Prince of Wales, its carrier. Now, a 40-member British aviation engineering team is expected to land in Kerala on July 5 to conduct repairs. Originally scheduled to arrive on July 2, their arrival was delayed for unspecified reasons. The aircraft has since been moved to the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport. Guarded 24x7 by RAF officers, the fighter remains under UK control. The British High Commission thanked India for its cooperation, while Defence Minister Luke Pollard praised India's support and the RAF's oversight.#kerala #thiruvananthapuramairport #f35 #britishroyalnavy #c17globemaster #f35kerala #strandedfighterjet #ukindiamilitary #rafjetindia #f35repairteam #thiruvananthapuram #lockheedmartin #hmsprinceofwales #c17airlift #defencediplomacy #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews
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India.com
5 hours ago
- India.com
Dismantling a Beast: UK Wrestles with F-35B's Complexity on Foreign Soil in Kerala
UK's lethal F-35B fighter jet stranded in Kerala A British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet, stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14, 2025, is now set to be dismantled and flown back to the United Kingdom. The jet, grounded by an unresolved hydraulic failure, cannot be repaired locally due to its complex systems and the absence of F-35 maintenance infrastructure in India. A C-17 Globemaster III military aircraft will likely transport the disassembled jet to the UK for restoration. Why the Jet Must Be Moved Efforts to fix the jet's critical hydraulic system in India proved unsuccessful. The F-35B's advanced design includes classified technologies like radar-absorbing coatings, encrypted software, and AI-based combat systems—requiring tools and expertise available only at select certified locations. India does not operate the F-35, and no repair base exists in the region. Beyond technical hurdles, national security concerns make it risky to leave the jet parked at a civilian airport. The aircraft is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, and its prolonged absence weakens the UK's operational readiness. Transporting it back is the only viable and secure option. UK Sends a Specialized Team On July 6, a Royal Air Force A400M Atlas brought in a 25–40 member team of engineers and Lockheed Martin-certified technicians to Thiruvananthapuram. The team brought specialized tools and a tow vehicle, starting with an inspection to assess whether repairs could be done on-site. Once confirmed unrepairable, the dismantling process began. Moving to a Safer Location Initially, the F-35B was parked in the open at Bay 4 of the airport under CISF security. The UK declined to move it to a hangar due to concerns over exposure of sensitive systems in a non-NATO country. However, with India's assurances and growing urgency, the jet was shifted to a secure Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility where the environment is controlled and access is tightly restricted. The Dismantling Process Removing the jet's wings, tail fins, and stabilizers is essential to fit it inside the C-17's cargo bay, which is 26 meters long but only about 4 meters wide. The F-35B has a wingspan of nearly 10.7 meters, making disassembly the only option. This process is far from simple. Every screw, bolt, and panel is security-coded and logged to prevent tampering or unauthorized access. Only Lockheed Martin-trained engineers are allowed to perform these tasks. The dismantled components are carefully packed to avoid damage to the stealth coatings or internal systems. The jet's fuselage is then compacted and prepared for loading as a single unit, taking care to protect the aircraft's sensitive sensors and onboard electronics. Airlift to the UK Once dismantled, the aircraft will be loaded onto a Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster III—one of the few transport aircraft capable of handling such a load. Technicians will supervise the process to ensure that the jet's frame and sensitive systems remain intact. The aircraft will likely be flown to RAF Marham in the UK, where full-scale repair facilities for the F-35 are located. Once there, it will be reassembled and thoroughly tested before rejoining active service aboard HMS Prince of Wales . Security and Diplomatic Coordination Throughout the dismantling and transport operation, UK Royal Air Force personnel and naval officers are maintaining strict security. They are working in coordination with Indian CISF forces to prevent any technology leaks or unauthorized access. The UK government has also committed to settling all dues, including parking and hangar charges, with Indian authorities. The diplomatic coordination between the two nations has been smooth, despite early hesitation regarding the hangar shift. Challenges Faced The operation has not been without complications: Security Sensitivities : Concerns over espionage led to initial delays in moving the aircraft to a hangar. : Concerns over espionage led to initial delays in moving the aircraft to a hangar. Weather Conditions : Exposure to Kerala's heavy monsoon rains added further urgency and risk to the already delicate dismantling process. : Exposure to Kerala's heavy monsoon rains added further urgency and risk to the already delicate dismantling process. Public Curiosity: The jet's unexpected stay captured widespread attention, sparking social media memes and even a cheeky post from Kerala Tourism. Past Examples This is not the first time an F-35 has had to be dismantled. In 2019, the US Air Force removed the wings of an F-35A for transport from Florida to Utah. Similarly, in 2022, South Korea transported a belly-landed F-35A by road after removing its wings. These precedents show that such operations are technically feasible and already tested. Why On-Site Repairs Weren't Possible The hydraulic failure affecting this particular jet requires diagnostic equipment, spares, and expertise not available in India. As India doesn't operate any F-35s, it lacks the maintenance infrastructure needed for even minor repairs. Returning the jet to the UK is the only way to ensure it is properly restored and returned to duty. Conclusion The mission to dismantle and fly back the UK's F-35B from India is more than just a technical exercise—it is a symbol of careful international coordination, the importance of protecting advanced defense technologies, and the logistical precision required to handle one of the world's most advanced fighter jets. Once it takes to the skies again from British soil, the F-35B will carry with it a fascinating chapter from Kerala that blended diplomacy, engineering, and a touch of global intrigue. —— E.O.M ( Girish Linganna is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst. He is the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. Contact: girishlinganna@ )
India Gazette
7 hours ago
- India Gazette
UK F-35 jet moved to hangar for repairs after Royal Navy tech team reaches Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 6 (ANI): British F-35B fighter jet, stuck at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for nearly three weeks was towed to the Air India hanger on Sunday after a technical team arrived from the UK to assess any damage to the aircraft and attempt to take the aircraft back, according to Defence sources. British Royal Air Force's Airbus A400M Atlas also took off from Kerala's airport after dropping off a technical team of experts to assess the aircraft. Earlier today, a team of approximately 25 technical experts from the British Royal Air Force was dispatched to inspect the F-35B fighter jet that made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of June 14. The visiting team will assess the condition of the stranded jet to determine whether it can be repaired locally or needs to be dismantled and transported back to the United Kingdom. Since its unscheduled landing nearly three weeks ago, the presence of the advanced stealth fighter has generated considerable public curiosity and turned into a quirky marketing trend in the state. 'The UK has accepted the offer of a space in the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, and are in discussions to finalise arrangements with relevant authorities. In line with standard procedure, the aircraft will be moved following the arrival of UK engineers, who are carrying specialist equipment necessary for the movement and repair process,' the statement added. The High Commissioner thanked India for its support to the UK in this matter. 'The UK remains very grateful for the continued support and collaboration of the Indian authorities and airport teams.' The aircraft was diverted there after it ran into bad weather during a sortie in the Indian ocean and was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy's flagship carrier. Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales have assessed the aircraft, but despite their efforts, they have been unable to fix the issue. F-35Bs are highly advanced stealth jets, built by Lockheed Martin, and are prized for their short take-off and vertical landing capability. Images of the 'lonely F-35B', parked on the tarmac and soaked by the Kerala monsoon rains, have spawned memes on social media. The Kerala Tourism Department was the first to share an image of the aircraft on social media X with a humorous caption, 'Kerala, the destination you'll never want to leave', and this was quickly followed by similar posts from Milma (Kerala's dairy cooperative), the Kerala Police, the State AIDS Control Society, and several private organisations. One user on X suggested that India should start charging rent and that the Kohinoor diamond would be the most appropriate payment. (ANI)
India Today
11 hours ago
- India Today
Jamiat moves Delhi High Court seeking ban on Udaipur Files movie
3:49 India Today reports on the arrival of a team of 25 UK technical experts in Thiruvananthapuram to repair a Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet. The aircraft has been stranded at the city's international airport for over 25 days since its emergency landing on June 14 due to a technical fault. The jet, which was on a routine flying exercise, initially cited low fuel for the landing. The team will assess the aircraft and attempt repairs. If unsuccessful, the jet may be moved to a hangar or potentially dismantled and airlifted. This development follows an earlier unsuccessful inspection by a team from a British ship. The prolonged stay of the F-35 at the airport has sparked curiosity and social media activity, including memes and marketing campaigns.
