British Royal Air Force Airbus Lands In Kerala; UK-Engineers To Repair Stranded F-35 Fighter Jet
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: A British Royal Air Force Airbus, A400M, with a team of UK aviation engineers aboard has landed in Kerala to repair the British F-35B Lightning fighter jet. The jet has remained stranded in Kerala following an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14. Thiruvananthapuram is a designated emergency diversion site for British military aircraft operating in the region.
According to a clarification by the British High Commission, the aircraft, part of the UK Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, developed an “engineering issue” that forced the unscheduled landing in Kerala. The jet, worth over 110 million USD has been now moved the hangar from its grounded position for repair and maintenance.
#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: A team of technical experts on board the British Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas, arrive at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to assess the F-35 fighter jet.
The F-35 jet had made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram… pic.twitter.com/KEbM1BSRdE
— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2025
Read Also: British Fighter Jet Makes Emergency Landing At Thiruvananthapuram Airport: Report
The jet was stranded in India as it could not return to the carrier from which it flew due to the rough sea and weather conditions. A primary examination concluded that specialized UK-based personnel and tools are required to repair the aircraft, necessitating the arrival of engineers from the UK.
The F-35B is the world’s only fifth-generation stealth fighter capable of short take-off and vertical landing, designed for operations from smaller carriers and austere airfields. The Indian Air Force had earlier said it was providing all assistance for the rectification and subsequent return of the jet.
Read Also: “Kerala Is Such An Amazing Place, I Don’t…”: Kerala Tourism’s Subtle Dig At Missing F-35 Fighter Jet
There has been tight security around the aircraft since it landed in India, and an armed Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) detachment continues to guard the jet, parked at Bay 4 of the airport.
Notably, the lethal fighter jet has become a subject of memes since it was stranded in India. Social media memes include issuing Aadhaar and other documents to the jets. The official social media handle of Kerala tourism also used the stranded British jet to promote tourism, with a meme presenting F-35 not returning to Britain as it liked Kerala. “Kerala, the destination you’ll never want to leave. Thank you, The Fauxy,” the official handle of Kerala tourism wrote on X.
Kerala, the destination you’ll never want to leave.
Thank you, The Fauxy.#F35 #Trivandrum #KeralaTourism pic.twitter.com/3lei66a5T2
— Kerala Tourism (@KeralaTourism) July 2, 2025
