In Breaking News from India, a British F-35B stealth fighter jet has now been stuck at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for 19 days after making an emergency landing. This jet is one of the most advanced aircraft in the world, but it has developed a technical issue that engineers have not yet been able to fix. The United Kingdom is now considering the unusual step of airlifting the fighter jet back home using a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft.
Why the Jet Landed in Kerala
The F-35B is a modern fifth-generation aircraft made by Lockheed Martin. It can take off from short runways and land vertically, like a helicopter. On June 15, the jet had to divert from its return to the HMS Prince of Wales, the UK’s aircraft carrier, which is currently working in the Indo-Pacific region.
The reason for the emergency landing, according to the British High Commission, was bad weather. The weather conditions made it unsafe for the jet to land back on the ship. So, the pilot made a quick decision and safely landed at Thiruvananthapuram Airport in Kerala at around 9:30 am local time.
Technical Issue After Landing
After landing safely, the fighter jet soon developed a serious engineering problem. Because of this issue, it has not been able to take off again. The Royal Navy sent a special team of engineers from the UK, who arrived with advanced tools and diagnostic equipment. These experts have been trying to fix the aircraft on site, but so far, they haven’t been successful.
- Multiple repair attempts have failed to get the jet ready for flight.
- The UK is now thinking about airlifting the aircraft back home, which is very rare for a fighter jet of this kind.
- The jet has been under constant security protection at the airport since June 15.
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) and airport staff are working together to move the jet to a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hangar on the airfield.
Ongoing Support from India
Indian authorities have been very helpful throughout the situation. The IAF gave full logistical support when requested by the Royal Navy. The pilot of the aircraft was picked up the next day by a Royal Navy AW101 Merlin helicopter and returned to the aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. However, the jet remains in India while repair work continues.
The British High Commission has stated that there is no timeline yet for when the repairs will be complete. However, they assured that they are doing everything possible to minimize disruption at the airport and to fix the issue as soon as possible.
The Importance of the F-35 Jet
This incident highlights how complex and important the F-35 programme is. It is the most expensive and advanced weapons project in aviation history. So far, F-35 jets have flown over 800,000 hours in missions around the world.
- Israel has used its F-35A jets in precision attacks across Syria and on Iran-linked targets.
- The United States has deployed its F-35s in Europe, the Pacific, and the Middle East for both combat and surveillance operations.
The F-35B stuck in Kerala is a clear example of how even high-tech military equipment can face unexpected problems. Still, both British and Indian officials are working closely to solve the issue without affecting normal airport functions.
This story is one of the major Daily news highlights in both India and the UK, as it involves international cooperation, advanced military technology, and a rare situation involving a grounded stealth fighter in a civilian airport. It also shows how countries like India are playing a key role in supporting global defense efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.
