Thiruvananthapuram: After remaining grounded for nearly 39 days at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, a British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet finally took off on Monday morning, marking the end of an unusual and widely followed episode in India.
The fighter jet, one of the most advanced and expensive in the world, had made an emergency landing on June 14 due to a technical malfunction while flying from the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales over the Arabian Sea. It was unable to return to its ship because of poor weather and a failure in both its hydraulic system and auxiliary power unit.
Following the emergency landing, the aircraft was parked under high security at the airport, with Indian authorities taking strict measures to protect the sensitive stealth technology onboard.
The British Royal Navy’s F-35B fighter jet, which had been stranded in Kerala for five weeks after making an emergency landing in June, flew out of the Thiruvananthapuram airport this morning. pic.twitter.com/mRDNAGBvGW
— anjunirwan (@anjn) July 22, 2025
A team of engineers from the UK, including specialists from the jet’s manufacturer Lockheed Martin, arrived in early July with special tools and parts. They moved the jet to a hangar and carried out thorough inspections and repairs, focusing mainly on the hydraulic system. After nearly two weeks of detailed work, the aircraft was declared airworthy.
There were initial concerns that the fighter might need to be dismantled and flown back on a cargo aircraft if repairs failed. However, that scenario was avoided, thanks to the successful restoration work carried out in Kerala itself.
The unexpected presence of the jet became a sensation in Kerala and across social media. Memes flooded the internet, and even the Kerala Tourism Department joined the fun by sharing a creative post showing the jet enjoying the state’s hospitality. One viral image humorously quoted the jet as saying, “Kerala is such an amazing place, I don’t want to leave.”
While the aircraft’s extended stay turned into a PR moment for Kerala, it also came with logistical costs. The parking and handling charges reportedly crossed ₹9 lakh during the five-week period.
On July 22, the F-35B took off from the airport and is expected to rejoin its carrier group, which is currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific region, possibly heading toward Darwin, Australia.
Officials from both the UK and India praised the cooperation between the two countries during the entire process, which included technical support, security, and smooth coordination.
This rare incident not only highlighted the operational challenges of advanced military aviation but also offered a glimpse into the lighter side of international defence cooperation—with a touch of Kerala monsoon charm.
