A British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, grounded at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14, has quietly accumulated parking charges exceeding ₹3.9 lakh, as per airport fee norms based on the aircraft’s Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW).
According to the MTOW-linked tariff structure followed by the Adani-operated airport, the 27.3-metric-tonne jet is estimated to incur ₹26,000 per day in parking fees — charges typically applicable to civilian and charter aircraft. While the final cost settlement remains under discussion, sources suggest New Delhi may cover the expense in light of ongoing strategic India-UK defence cooperation.
Emergency Landing, Unexpected Stay
The stealth jet — part of the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group — was forced to make an emergency landing on June 14 after bad weather and critically low fuel prevented its return to the carrier stationed off the Kerala coast. The Indian Air Force (IAF) quickly facilitated the landing, offering emergency refuelling and ground support.
However, what began as a brief unscheduled halt has stretched into weeks, thanks to a hydraulic system failure that grounded the aircraft almost immediately after landing.
UK Dispatches Special Repair Team
Despite multiple repair attempts by British navy technicians, the issue remains unresolved. The UK is now flying in a 40-member team of engineers and specialists, along with a specialised tow vehicle, to move the aircraft to the airport’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for detailed diagnostics and restoration.
“The UK has accepted an offer to shift the aircraft to the MRO hangar once our team arrives. We appreciate the cooperation extended by Indian authorities,” said a British spokesperson.
Radar Lock Theory Raises Eyebrows
Although the official explanation remains a hydraulic malfunction, an alternate theory is making waves: that the aircraft may have been digitally ‘locked’ by Indian air defence systems upon entering Indian airspace — a lock so sophisticated that even US and UK engineers have reportedly been unable to override it. While unverified, this possibility has sparked international interest and drawn attention to the vulnerabilities of next-gen stealth platforms in sensitive foreign environments.
India Plays a Key Supporting Role
Throughout the episode, the Indian side has extended full support. The IAF has continued to provide fuel, perimeter security, accommodation, and meals to the stranded British crew. The aircraft is currently parked in Bay 4, typically reserved for VIP and state aircraft, without disrupting regular airport operations.
Symbol of Power, Temporarily Grounded
The F-35B, developed by Lockheed Martin, is globally recognised for its Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) capabilities and is a mainstay of modern Western airpower. Its extended grounding — in a friendly country, no less — is rare and diplomatically sensitive.
If repairs on Indian soil prove unsuccessful, officials say the jet may have to be airlifted back to the UK aboard a heavy transport aircraft.
Until then, one of the world’s most advanced warplanes sits parked under Kerala’s shifting skies — a $110-million marvel stranded like a supercar with no keys, caught in a tangle of weather, mechanical failure, and possibly geopolitics.
