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

The British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet that has remained grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14, 2025, will now be dismantled and transported back to the United Kingdom for repairs. The jet, valued at over $110 million, was forced to make an emergency landing in Kerala following a hydraulic system malfunction during operations linked to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier.

Following the emergency landing, the aircraft developed additional technical issues, rendering it unfit to take off again. A team of engineers flown in from the UK carried out a detailed assessment and concluded that repairing the advanced fighter jet on site was not feasible under current conditions. As a result, British authorities have decided to disassemble the aircraft and fly it back to the UK using a heavy-lift military transport plane, most likely a C-17 Globemaster.

Security surrounding the F-35B has remained tight throughout its unplanned stay, with Royal Air Force personnel and Indian security agencies jointly ensuring the protection of the aircraft and its sensitive stealth technology. The operation to dismantle and transport the jet is expected to be executed with high precision, given the aircraft's classified components and strategic importance.

The incident has also drawn public and social media attention, particularly after Kerala Tourism took to social media with a light-hearted jab, playfully promoting the state's charm by referring to the jet's prolonged stopover.

While the British Navy deals with the logistics of recovery, the unusual presence of one of the world's most advanced fighter jets has turned into an unexpected attraction at the Thiruvananthapuram airport-albeit under heavy guard. The timeline for removal and transport of the aircraft has not yet been officially disclosed.