A British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet has been grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India for nearly two weeks following an emergency landing on June 14, 2025. The aircraft, valued at over $100 million, was forced to land due to adverse weather conditions and low fuel during a routine operation as part of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group.
The situation escalated when the F-35B experienced a critical hydraulic system failure, essential for its short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities. Despite the swift arrival of Royal Navy technicians and a specialized team from Lockheed Martin, the jet remains immobile, raising eyebrows and concerns among defense analysts and military enthusiasts alike.
Currently secured under tight surveillance by the Central Industrial Security Force, Indian technicians have been barred from accessing the aircraft to protect its advanced stealth systems. The unexpected stay has led to questions about the financial implications, with the jet racking up an estimated parking fee of around $28,000 per day—totaling approximately $336,000 over its tenure at the airport. Additional costs for towing and ground support could inflate this figure even further.
As repair efforts drag on, speculation is mounting online. Some analysts suggest that Indian radar systems could be interfering with the jet’s advanced electronic warfare capabilities, hinting at a potentially more complex issue than a mere mechanical failure. The Royal Navy continues to work behind closed doors, but if the situation does not resolve soon, the UK may be forced to airlift the F-35B back home using a C-17 Globemaster III, which would be a costly and logistically challenging operation.
The world watches closely as the fate of this advanced fighter jet hangs in the balance, turning what should have been a routine operation into a high-stakes international incident. Will the F-35B take to the skies again, or is it destined to remain a curiosity on Indian soil? Time is running out, and the implications are enormous.