NEW DELHI: A British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet — one of the world’s most expensive and advanced combat aircraft — remains stranded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for four days after making an emergency landing.
The stealth fighter, valued at over $100 million, was forced to divert to the southern Indian city on Saturday night due to a suspected hydraulic system failure during a routine flight over international waters.
It had taken off from the HMS Prince of Wales, the UK’s flagship aircraft carrier currently stationed approximately 100 nautical miles off the Kerala coast.
According to sources, although technicians were airlifted by a Royal Navy helicopter to begin repairs the same night, the aircraft remains grounded due to continued technical issues.
The F-35 was expected to depart by Tuesday morning but has since been delayed again.
Emergency protocol in actionThe emergency landing occurred at 9.30pm on June 14 after the jet encountered bad weather and was unable to return to the carrier due to choppy sea conditions.
The Indian Air Force (IAF), using its IACCS radar network, coordinated with air traffic control to facilitate the unscheduled landing.
Thiruvananthapuram airport is a pre-designated diversion location for British naval aircraft operating in the region.
Following the landing, the pilot was temporarily seated at the apron control area to keep visual contact with the parked jet until other Royal Navy personnel arrived.
Contrary to social media speculation, he was not seated next to the aircraft but was instead moved, along with the incoming technical crew, to the terminal's Emergency Medical Centre for rest.
Repairs underway, security tightenedThree Royal Navy personnel — including the pilot and two technicians — remain in Kerala to complete the repair work.
Six other technicians, who had arrived on Sunday and Monday, returned to HMS Prince of Wales by helicopter on Tuesday afternoon.
An armed detachment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is guarding the jet, which is parked in Bay 4 of the airport. A local ground-handling agency has also been arranged at the request of the Royal Navy.
Airport authorities have provided accommodation and meals, including Western-style food, as the naval crew were unfamiliar with local cuisine.
The F-35B Lightning II, built by Lockheed Martin, is a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the fifth-generation fighter and is a central part of the UK’s maritime strike capability.
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