Stranded UK's F-35 fighter jet to be airlifted from Kerala

The British Royal Navy's F-35 fighter jet, which has been stranded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for nearly 20 days, is likely to be airlifted back to the United Kingdom, sources said.

With field repair attempts yet to succeed, the United Kingdom is now exploring the option of airlifting the jet aboard a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft after it is partially dismantled by technicians, a rare move for a fighter of its class. The F-35B, a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the Lockheed Martin-built fifth-generation aircraft, had diverted to the Kerala airport after being unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific.

The F-35B, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, was conducting operations 100 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala when adverse weather and low fuel forced an emergency diversion to Thiruvananthapuram. The Indian Air Force facilitated the safe landing and provided refuelling and logistical assistance.

However, when the fighter jet was preparing to return to its carrier, a hydraulic failure was detected during pre-departure checks. The issue is considered serious as it could affect the jet’s ability to take off and land safely. A small Royal Navy team, including three technicians, attempted to repair the malfunction but was unsuccessful due to the complexity of the problem.

The aircraft has been parked at Bay 4 of the airport under the protection of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Initially, the Royal Navy declined an offer from Air India to move the jet into a hangar, despite the monsoon rains in Kerala. Later, the British Navy agreed to move the jet into a hangar.