British F-35 Fighter Jet Remains Grounded in Thiruvananthapuram After Emergency Landing

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, June 17: A British F-35B stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport more than 48 hours after it made an emergency landing on Sunday morning. The aircraft, part of the UK Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, was diverted due to low fuel — an incident described by experts as rare but not unprecedented.

The F-35B, a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II, had been participating in PASSEX, a joint military exercise between the Indian Navy and the British Royal Navy in the Arabian Sea. It was returning to the aircraft carrier when adverse weather reportedly prevented a safe landing, prompting the pilot to divert to Thiruvananthapuram.

According to sources and media reports, a suspected mechanical issue is believed to be keeping the aircraft grounded. Servicing efforts are underway, and the jet is expected to rejoin the Prince of Wales once cleared for departure.

The emergency landing triggered a brief alert at the airport, and Indian authorities swiftly responded to ensure flight safety. Indian Air Force (IAF) officials confirmed they were fully aware of the situation and facilitated the landing. “This is a normal occurrence of diversion by an F-35. The IAF was fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance is being provided, and the IAF is coordinating with all relevant agencies,” said a spokesperson.

Airport authorities confirmed the jet had been refuelled and is awaiting necessary permissions from Indian authorities before it can depart. “The refuelling has been completed. The aircraft will be allowed to take off once all clearances are in place,” said an airport official.

Details from the landing reveal the jet contacted Thiruvananthapuram ATC around 9:20 pm and touched down at approximately 9:30 pm. The pilot, identified only as “Mike,” underwent standard customs and immigration procedures but initially declined to leave the aircraft’s side, requesting a chair to rest before eventually accompanying IAF officials into the terminal.

The F-35 program is the world’s most expensive fighter aircraft project and a cornerstone of modern Western airpower. The F-35B’s ability to land vertically and operate from carriers without catapult systems makes it vital for naval aviation.

The incident comes against the backdrop of growing international interest in the F-35. Earlier this year, former US President Donald Trump expressed willingness to sell the aircraft to India, signaling a potential shift in US arms export policy.

Currently deployed by several NATO allies, including the UK, and used in active combat roles by countries like Israel, the F-35 continues to represent a major leap in stealth, sensor fusion, and battlefield integration compared to older generations of fighter jets.

While rare, foreign military aircraft occasionally divert to friendly nations in emergencies. However, a foreign stealth jet like the F-35 remaining grounded for over two days on Indian soil is considered highly unusual and underscores the complexity and sensitivity of such operations.