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A British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter remains stranded on the tarmac at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in southern India—19 days after making an unscheduled emergency landing on June 15.
The aircraft, reportedly operating from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier, was diverted due to adverse weather conditions that prevented a safe return to the vessel, according to the British High Commission.
The pilot landed safely, but the jet has since developed a serious “engineering issue”, rendering it unflyable.
UK Considering C-17 Airlift Recovery
With on-site field repairs unsuccessful, the UK Ministry of Defence is now weighing the logistically complex and costly option of retrieving the aircraft using a C-17 Globemaster strategic transport jet.
Such a move would require:
- Partial disassembly of the F-35B
- Special airframe handling crews
- Diplomatic clearance and runway coordination with Indian authorities
Ongoing Technical Mystery
The UK has not disclosed the exact nature of the mechanical fault, describing it only as an engineering issue. Aviation experts speculate it could involve:
- A software or avionics failure
- A cooling or powertrain fault
- Possible damage during landing or taxiing
The F-35B, a short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant, is known for its technical complexity, and its global support infrastructure remains tightly controlled by Lockheed Martin and partner nations.
Security and Strategic Implications
The aircraft remains under round-the-clock military security at the civilian airport. The presence of a fifth-generation stealth fighter on foreign soil for an extended period raises concerns around safeguarding sensitive systems, particularly given the proximity to non-NATO observers.
Background
- Aircraft Type: F-35B Lightning II
- Operator: UK Royal Navy (likely embarked on HMS Queen Elizabeth)
- Diversion Date: 15 June 2025
- Location: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Kerala, India
This incident marks the first known unscheduled grounding of a British F-35B in Indian airspace and represents an unusual logistical challenge for the UK military.
Updates will follow as decisions around recovery and repair logistics unfold.
