British F-35B Jet Stranded In Kerala Likely To Be Dismantled, Airlifted To UK

Nearly three weeks after an unplanned landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, a British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet remains grounded, with technical faults still unresolved and the arrival of a specialised repair crew delayed. Faced with persistent mechanical challenges, UK defence officials are now exploring the rare option of airlifting the aircraft using a C-17 Globemaster transport plane.

The fifth-generation fighter, part of ongoing Indo-UK naval exercises, was forced to divert to Thiruvananthapuram around 9:30 a.m. on June 15 due to abnormal fuel readings mid-flight. The pilot executed a precautionary landing, triggering what has now become an extended international technical operation.

Despite multiple attempts to rectify the fault locally, engineers have not been able to restore the aircraft to flight-ready condition. According to a report on India Today, a team of around 30 British technicians was scheduled to arrive to carry out detailed diagnostics and repairs, but their arrival has been delayed, further prolonging the standoff.

UK Considering To Airlift Jet 

In the interim, the aircraft has been stationed at the airport under constant security surveillance. A Royal Navy AW101 Merlin helicopter was deployed the day after the incident—June 16—to extract the pilot and return him to the HMS Prince of Wales, which remains part of the UK carrier strike group operating in the region, reported NDTV.

Now, with local repair options exhausted and critical parts possibly unavailable on-site, the UK is seriously considering lifting the jet out using a C-17 Globemaster III—a massive military transport aircraft capable of carrying the 15-tonne stealth jet. Such a move would be logistically complex and diplomatically sensitive, requiring coordination between Indian and British defence establishments.

The F-35B, known for its short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capability, is among the most advanced combat aircraft in service globally.

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