Why UK's lethal F-35 jet, worth $110 million, is stranded in Kerala for 10 days
It's been 10 days since a British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, a cutting-edge defence asset worth $110 million, is stranded on the tarmac of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala after making an emergency landing on June 14. The fate of the British fifth-generation stealth jet has naturally sparked speculation and curiosity as it remains parked at a civilian airport on Indian soil.advertisementThe British jet, parked at Bay 4 of Thiruvananthapuram's airport, is guarded by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel.The fighter jet, which was initially reported to have made an emergency landing due to low fuel, was later found to have suffered a hydraulic system snag. The jet has remained grounded despite repeated attempts to get it airborne, including that by a British team.
While India offered to move it to a hangar to shield it from the monsoon rains of Malabar, the Royal Navy declined.What exactly is wrong with the jet, and why is it stranded? This is what we know so far.WHY BRITISH F-35 B IS STRANDED IN INDIA FOR 10 DAYS?The British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, which was part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, landed in Thiruvananthapuram on June 14.advertisementThe jet, believed to have taken off from a British aircraft carrier stationed approximately 100 nautical miles off Kerala's coast, landed in Thiruvananthapuram after reporting low fuel levels, reported news agency PTI. However, The Times of India reported that it was low fuel, coupled with bad weather, that prompted the military jet to seek immediate permission to land."Diversion of F-35 is normal. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is fully aware of and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance is given, and IAF is in coordination with all agencies," an IAF spokesperson said last week.The fighter was conducting routine drills as part of joint maritime exercises in the Indian Ocean.Flight radar data showed the jet briefly transmitted the emergency transponder code SQUAWK 7700 off the Kerala coast, signalling distress. This prompted a priority clearance from air traffic control, reported The Hindu. The SQUAWK 7700 is an emergency code that aircraft in distress transmit to the air traffic control when they need immediate help.The issue has proven more complex than anticipated.F-35 MIGHT HAVE TO BE AIRLIFTED TO THE UK FROM INDIAAfter the jet landed, the Indian Air Force extended all necessary support, including refuelling. However, while preparing for departure, the aircraft reportedly developed a hydraulic failure and was unable to take off.advertisementHydraulics are crucial in a fighter jet because they control key functions like landing gear, brakes, and flight control surfaces. These help the jet to manoeuvre and move around.British Royal Navy technicians from the Carrier Strike Group inspected the aircraft in Thiruvananthapuram but could not fix the glitch.A hydraulic failure affects critical systems, rendering a jet unflightworthy.Defence officials have indicated that if on-ground repair attempts fail, the aircraft might need to be airlifted back to the carrier or the UK via a military transport plane.ALL ABOUT LOCKHEED'S F-35 BThe cutting-edge F-35B, known for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability and advanced sensor systems, is one of the world's most expensive and technologically advanced fighter jets. Manufactured by the US's Lockheed Martin, its sleek design helps in evading enemy radars, making it stealth.The F-35 is widely used by Nato partners, including the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands, among others. The F-35B is one of three variants of the jet, specifically designed for short take-off and vertical landing operations.Notably, in March, US President Donald Trump pitched the sale of F-35 jets to India.Well, the British jet has been stranded for 10 days now with no clear idea how much longer it will stay. While social media buzzed with speculation, the $110 million jet was mockingly listed for sale on OLX for just $4 million, a bargain deal only if it were real.- EndsMust Watch
IN THIS STORY#Kerala
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First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
After emergency landing over 10 days ago, why UK's $110-million F-35B jet remains stranded in Kerala
The UK Royal Navy's F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, worth $110 million, continues to be grounded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, after its emergency landing on the night of June 14. While a technical team assessed the aircraft, the problem remains. Here's what is going on with one of the world's most advanced war planes read more A CISF personnel stand guard near the British F-35 fighter jet that made an emergency landing after running low on fuel at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14 night. @CISFHQrs via PTI Photo The British Royal Navy's F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet remains stranded in Kerala, nearly two weeks after it made an emergency landing. Built by the US-based Lockheed Martin, the aircraft is worth more than $110 million. The fighter jet continues to be grounded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. This is the first time that the British Royal Navy's F-35B fighter has been stranded in a foreign country. Let's take a closer look. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why UK's F-35B jet made emergency landing On the night of June 14, the United Kingdom Royal Navy's F-35 Lightning II fighter jet made an emergency landing at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Defence officials told ANI that the aircraft was running low on fuel. It also faced bad weather as the jet was flying about 100 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala, leading to the pilot onboard the aircraft seeking permission to land at the civilian airport in the southern state, reported the Independent. The jet declared an emergency and was detected and identified by the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which cleared it for recovery, IAF said in a statement. 'A Royal Navy F-35B fighter was recovered following an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of June 14. The IAF is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft,' it posted on X. A Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 25. Operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked… — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 15, 2025 The stealth aircraft landed safely around 9:28 pm at the Kerala airport and was shifted to an isolated bay. The advanced fifth-generation fighter jet is reportedly part of the UK Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The IAF helped with refuelling the stealth aircraft. However, the jet encountered hydraulic failure during its attempted return, defence officials told ANI. What was the aircraft doing near India? The F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet was carrying out sorties in the Indian Ocean from HMS Prince of Wales. The jet was 'undertaking routine flying outside of the Indian Air Defence Identification Zone' when it faced problems and Thiruvananthapuram was 'earmarked as the emergency recovery field', the IAF said. The night the fighter jet touched down in Kerala, a Royal Navy AW101 Merlin helicopter arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram airport with technicians to examine the plane. It also ferried a replacement pilot. However, it was decided to keep the jet grounded until the assistance of a British specialist team. #UPDATE | A few days ago, the F-35 fighter jet of the UK Navy had made an emergency landing due to low fuel, after which the Indian Air Force had provided all required support, including refuelling. However, when the aircraft was going back, it developed a hydraulic failure and… — ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'A maintenance team of the UK Navy had come and tried to rectify the problem, but could not,' ANI quoted a statement by defence officials. Why the British jet remains stranded after over 10 days The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is guarding the British aircraft, which remains parked at an open area near the domestic terminal amid concerns about monsoon rains. As per an Onmanorama report, a 40-member expert team from the UK is expected to arrive soon to carry out repairs on the F-35B jet. The team will take a call on whether to move the aircraft to a hangar for inspection or not. India had reportedly offered to move the jet to a hangar or temporary shed. However, this was declined by the Royal Navy. As per NDTV sources, the decision was likely due to concerns over F-35B's 'protected technologies'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A spokesperson for the British High Commission in Delhi told The Independent: '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.' If necessary, the plane could be flown back aboard a military transport aircraft. One of the most advanced fighter jets, the UK Royal Navy's F-35B has short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities. It also boasts state-of-the-art technology, including sensors, mission systems and stealth features that enable it to operate in hostile conditions while evading detection. With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
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Growing divide between gender fluidity and women's reality
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India Today
7 hours ago
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Why UK's lethal F-35 jet, worth $110 million, is stranded in Kerala for 10 days
It's been 10 days since a British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, a cutting-edge defence asset worth $110 million, is stranded on the tarmac of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala after making an emergency landing on June 14. The fate of the British fifth-generation stealth jet has naturally sparked speculation and curiosity as it remains parked at a civilian airport on Indian British jet, parked at Bay 4 of Thiruvananthapuram's airport, is guarded by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) fighter jet, which was initially reported to have made an emergency landing due to low fuel, was later found to have suffered a hydraulic system snag. The jet has remained grounded despite repeated attempts to get it airborne, including that by a British team. While India offered to move it to a hangar to shield it from the monsoon rains of Malabar, the Royal Navy exactly is wrong with the jet, and why is it stranded? This is what we know so BRITISH F-35 B IS STRANDED IN INDIA FOR 10 DAYS?The British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, which was part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, landed in Thiruvananthapuram on June jet, believed to have taken off from a British aircraft carrier stationed approximately 100 nautical miles off Kerala's coast, landed in Thiruvananthapuram after reporting low fuel levels, reported news agency PTI. However, The Times of India reported that it was low fuel, coupled with bad weather, that prompted the military jet to seek immediate permission to land."Diversion of F-35 is normal. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is fully aware of and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance is given, and IAF is in coordination with all agencies," an IAF spokesperson said last fighter was conducting routine drills as part of joint maritime exercises in the Indian radar data showed the jet briefly transmitted the emergency transponder code SQUAWK 7700 off the Kerala coast, signalling distress. This prompted a priority clearance from air traffic control, reported The Hindu. The SQUAWK 7700 is an emergency code that aircraft in distress transmit to the air traffic control when they need immediate issue has proven more complex than anticipated.F-35 MIGHT HAVE TO BE AIRLIFTED TO THE UK FROM INDIAAfter the jet landed, the Indian Air Force extended all necessary support, including refuelling. However, while preparing for departure, the aircraft reportedly developed a hydraulic failure and was unable to take are crucial in a fighter jet because they control key functions like landing gear, brakes, and flight control surfaces. These help the jet to manoeuvre and move Royal Navy technicians from the Carrier Strike Group inspected the aircraft in Thiruvananthapuram but could not fix the glitch.A hydraulic failure affects critical systems, rendering a jet officials have indicated that if on-ground repair attempts fail, the aircraft might need to be airlifted back to the carrier or the UK via a military transport ABOUT LOCKHEED'S F-35 BThe cutting-edge F-35B, known for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability and advanced sensor systems, is one of the world's most expensive and technologically advanced fighter jets. Manufactured by the US's Lockheed Martin, its sleek design helps in evading enemy radars, making it F-35 is widely used by Nato partners, including the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands, among others. The F-35B is one of three variants of the jet, specifically designed for short take-off and vertical landing in March, US President Donald Trump pitched the sale of F-35 jets to the British jet has been stranded for 10 days now with no clear idea how much longer it will stay. While social media buzzed with speculation, the $110 million jet was mockingly listed for sale on OLX for just $4 million, a bargain deal only if it were real.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Kerala
