A team of technical experts on board the British Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas arrived at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to assess a British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet that made an emergency landing at the airport on June 14. After remaining grounded for over two weeks due to technical faults, the aircraft will now be dismantled and transported back to the United Kingdom aboard a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft.
Emergency landing triggered by weather and fuel shortage
The F-35B was returning to the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales when it encountered adverse weather conditions and a critical fuel shortage. The pilot issued an emergency transponder code, SQUAWK 7700, before being directed by the Indian Air Force to land at Bay 4 of Trivandrum airport, typically reserved for VIP aircraft. The Indian Air Force later confirmed the emergency was caused by fuel exhaustion following several unsuccessful landing attempts at sea.
Hydraulic failure leaves jet stranded
Since landing, the aircraft has been grounded due to a suspected hydraulic system fault. An initial team of Royal Navy engineers was unable to resolve the issue, prompting the deployment of a larger 40-member technical team from the UK, supported by specialists from the United States. A spokesperson for the British High Commission said, “Efforts are underway to restore the aircraft as quickly as possible,” while thanking Indian authorities for their cooperation.
UK accepts Indian offer for MRO facility
A British High Commission spokesperson confirmed that discussions are ongoing to move the jet to a protected location. “A UK engineering team has deployed to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to assess and repair the UK F-35B aircraft, which landed following an emergency diversion. 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 UK remains very grateful for the continued support and collaboration of the Indian authorities and airport teams,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier concerns over technology exposure
Initially, Indian Air Force officials had offered to shift the aircraft to an IAF MRO facility and Air India had proposed hangar space to shield it from heavy monsoon rains. However, British officials were initially reluctant to move the aircraft, reportedly over concerns related to exposing sensitive stealth technologies. As a result, the jet remained on open tarmac despite persistent rain and online speculation.
UK may face parking charges
With the aircraft grounded for more than two weeks, airport authorities at Thiruvananthapuram have stated that the UK may be liable for parking fees. A final decision is expected from the Union government. A government official told the Times of India, “Given the aircraft’s military status and foreign origin, the dues may be routed through central agencies.”
First such incident for UK’s F-35B fleet
This is reportedly the first time a British F-35B has been stranded in a foreign country. The fighter jet, part of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group, was participating in joint naval exercises with India. Manufactured by U.S. defence contractor Lockheed Martin, the F-35B is equipped for short take-offs and vertical landings and is a key component of NATO’s airpower strategy. The overall F-35 program is estimated to cost more than $2 trillion over its lifetime.
Online reactions to grounded stealth jet
Images and videos of the grounded jet parked alongside commercial aircraft at a civilian airport have circulated widely on social media, drawing attention and humour. Memes featuring captions such as “Stealth mode: disabled” and “Parked like a VIP, grounded like a student” have gone viral, reflecting public interest in the unusual sight.
Dismantling and return operation in progress
As repair efforts have failed, British engineers are now preparing to dismantle the aircraft for transport. The operation will involve coordination with Indian airport authorities and defence officials to ensure safe repatriation. The situation highlights the logistical challenges and technological sensitivities of managing advanced military assets abroad.
Emergency landing triggered by weather and fuel shortage
The F-35B was returning to the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales when it encountered adverse weather conditions and a critical fuel shortage. The pilot issued an emergency transponder code, SQUAWK 7700, before being directed by the Indian Air Force to land at Bay 4 of Trivandrum airport, typically reserved for VIP aircraft. The Indian Air Force later confirmed the emergency was caused by fuel exhaustion following several unsuccessful landing attempts at sea.
Hydraulic failure leaves jet stranded
Since landing, the aircraft has been grounded due to a suspected hydraulic system fault. An initial team of Royal Navy engineers was unable to resolve the issue, prompting the deployment of a larger 40-member technical team from the UK, supported by specialists from the United States. A spokesperson for the British High Commission said, “Efforts are underway to restore the aircraft as quickly as possible,” while thanking Indian authorities for their cooperation.
#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: A team of technical experts on board the British Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas, arrive at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to assess the F-35 fighter jet.
— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2025
The F-35 jet had made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram… pic.twitter.com/KEbM1BSRdE
UK accepts Indian offer for MRO facility
A British High Commission spokesperson confirmed that discussions are ongoing to move the jet to a protected location. “A UK engineering team has deployed to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to assess and repair the UK F-35B aircraft, which landed following an emergency diversion. 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 UK remains very grateful for the continued support and collaboration of the Indian authorities and airport teams,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier concerns over technology exposure
Initially, Indian Air Force officials had offered to shift the aircraft to an IAF MRO facility and Air India had proposed hangar space to shield it from heavy monsoon rains. However, British officials were initially reluctant to move the aircraft, reportedly over concerns related to exposing sensitive stealth technologies. As a result, the jet remained on open tarmac despite persistent rain and online speculation.
UK may face parking charges
With the aircraft grounded for more than two weeks, airport authorities at Thiruvananthapuram have stated that the UK may be liable for parking fees. A final decision is expected from the Union government. A government official told the Times of India, “Given the aircraft’s military status and foreign origin, the dues may be routed through central agencies.”
First such incident for UK’s F-35B fleet
This is reportedly the first time a British F-35B has been stranded in a foreign country. The fighter jet, part of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group, was participating in joint naval exercises with India. Manufactured by U.S. defence contractor Lockheed Martin, the F-35B is equipped for short take-offs and vertical landings and is a key component of NATO’s airpower strategy. The overall F-35 program is estimated to cost more than $2 trillion over its lifetime.
Online reactions to grounded stealth jet
Images and videos of the grounded jet parked alongside commercial aircraft at a civilian airport have circulated widely on social media, drawing attention and humour. Memes featuring captions such as “Stealth mode: disabled” and “Parked like a VIP, grounded like a student” have gone viral, reflecting public interest in the unusual sight.
Dismantling and return operation in progress
As repair efforts have failed, British engineers are now preparing to dismantle the aircraft for transport. The operation will involve coordination with Indian airport authorities and defence officials to ensure safe repatriation. The situation highlights the logistical challenges and technological sensitivities of managing advanced military assets abroad.
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