UK’s F-35 Fighter Jet Remains Grounded in Kerala: What Went Wrong?

A British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighter jet has been grounded at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala since June 14, 2025, following an emergency landing due to a technical snag, defence officials confirmed on June 20, 2025.

According to officials, the fighter aircraft, which initially landed due to low fuel, subsequently experienced a hydraulic system failure. Despite an initial repair attempt by a UK Navy maintenance team dispatched to Kerala, the issue could not be resolved, leaving the advanced stealth fighter stranded for almost a week.

Why Did the British F-35B Jet Land in Thiruvananthapuram?

The incident occurred on June 14, 2025, when the F-35B jet of the British Royal Navy requested an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after reportedly running low on fuel. The aircraft safely landed around 9:30 pm following clearance by Indian airport authorities.

Following the incident, the Indian Air Force (IAF) promptly provided assistance, refuelling and facilitating logistical support to the jet and its crew. The IAF described this event as a routine diversion, stressing that all required safety and assistance measures were implemented.

What Has Delayed the Aircraft’s Departure?

Though the initial issue of fuel shortage was swiftly addressed, the aircraft developed a subsequent hydraulic system malfunction during its departure preparations. Defence officials noted that an initial maintenance team from the UK Navy was unsuccessful in rectifying the technical fault, leaving the jet grounded.

Defence sources indicated that a larger, specialised technical team from the UK is likely to arrive shortly. They may potentially recover the aircraft or even transport it back to Britain using a military transport aircraft if necessary.

Officials emphasised the strong coordination between Indian and British authorities to resolve this technical challenge swiftly and efficiently.