UK's F-35 jet, stuck in Kerala since June 14, may fly back home next week: Report

A British F-35B Lightning II fighter jet that has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for nearly a month due to a technical snag is likely to be repaired and flown back to the United Kingdom as early as next week, as per a report by The Associated Press.

The AP quoted an Indian official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity. The official said a team of British engineers is currently working to fix the technical fault, reportedly a hydraulic failure, and are hopeful of restoring the jet to flight-worthy condition in the next few days.

The fifth-generation stealth aircraft, among the most advanced and expensive fighter jets in the world, costing upwards of USD 115 million, has remained grounded since June 14, after it was diverted from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales due to bad weather and low fuel. The aircraft had been on a routine sortie over the Arabian Sea as part of joint maritime exercises when it was forced to make an emergency landing in Kerala, triggering considerable buzz online and offline.

The jet’s unscheduled and prolonged stay at the civilian airport has sparked a flurry of memes, jokes, and even a light-hearted campaign from Kerala’s tourism department. One AI-generated post showed the fighter jet surrounded by coconut trees, posting a fake five-star review: “Kerala is such an amazing



place, I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend.”

“It was our way to appreciate and thank the Brits, who are among the largest inbound visitors to Kerala,” said K Biju, head of the state tourism department. Another viral cartoon showed the aircraft sharing local snacks with Malayalis against a scenic coastal backdrop.

Initially parked in the open at Bay 4 of the airport, the jet was guarded round-the-clock by CISF personnel. After remaining exposed to the monsoon rains for weeks, the fighter was finally moved into a hangar on July 6 following the arrival of British Royal Air Force experts aboard an Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft.

The aircraft reportedly suffered a hydraulic systems failure after landing, an issue that affects critical components such as the landing gear, brakes, and control surfaces. Despite multiple attempts by technicians from the Carrier Strike Group and the RAF team, repairs have taken longer than anticipated, prompting speculation that the aircraft might need to be dismantled and flown back aboard a transport plane.

The F-35B, manufactured by US-based Lockheed Martin, is capable of short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) operations. Known for its stealth design and advanced avionics, the jet is a key component of NATO air power and is operated by several countries, including the US, UK and Italy.