🇬🇧 British F-35B Lightning II Makes Emergency Landing in Kerala: A Rare Military Aviation Incident in India
In an unprecedented incident, a British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14, 2025, marking the first time such an advanced fifth-generation combat aircraft has touched down on Indian soil under unscheduled circumstances.
The aircraft, part of the air wing aboard HMS Prince of Wales—a British aircraft carrier currently deployed in the Indian Ocean—was forced to divert due to adverse weather conditions and low fuel while returning to the carrier after a routine sortie.
✈️ What Prompted the Emergency?
The F-35B, known for its short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capability, was conducting operations over the Arabian Sea when it encountered deteriorating sea conditions around the carrier. Landing a fighter jet on a pitching deck during rough seas is inherently risky. With limited fuel and no viable opportunity to refuel mid-air, the pilot made a critical decision to divert to the nearest international airport—Thiruvananthapuram, located approximately 400 km from the carrier's position.
Airport authorities and air traffic control responded promptly, clearing the runway and coordinating with Indian defense personnel to ensure a safe landing.
Post-Landing Complications: Hydraulic Failure Grounds the Jet
While the emergency landing itself was executed flawlessly, post-flight diagnostics revealed a hydraulic failure that rendered the aircraft unfit for takeoff. Engineers aboard HMS Prince of Wales attempted to dispatch technicians by helicopter to repair the jet on-site, but the damage proved more complex than anticipated.
With the aircraft stranded for days in the airport’s Bay 4, surrounded by a perimeter of armed CISF security personnel, the British government made arrangements to dispatch a specialist recovery team from the UK.
UK Dispatches Special Team for On-Site Repair
Nearly two weeks after the incident, a team of 40 Royal Navy and BAE Systems engineers were flown to Kerala along with a tow vehicle and high-precision repair equipment. After securing clearance from Indian aviation and defense authorities, the jet is now scheduled to be moved to the MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) hangar at the airport.
Officials state that if on-site repairs are not feasible, the UK is prepared to airlift the fighter jet back home using a C-17 Globemaster III, a large military transport aircraft capable of carrying the 15-ton jet.
Diplomatic and Logistical Aftermath
Cooperation Between Allies
The episode underscores strong India–UK defense cooperation, with India facilitating emergency clearance, providing armed security, and logistical coordination. The Indian Air Force, Navy, and Airport Authority of India all played supportive roles in securing the aircraft and assisting British personnel.
Parking Fees and Technical Formalities
Kerala airport authorities have reportedly begun calculating parking and handling charges for the F-35B, which weighs over 15,700 kg and has now been grounded for more than two weeks. While the total charges remain undisclosed, estimates suggest thousands of dollars per day, considering security, apron occupancy, and MRO usage.
Strategic and Symbolic Significance
The emergency landing of the $100+ million aircraft, part of NATO’s most advanced combat air fleet, has drawn global attention—not only due to the rarity of the event but also because it occurred in non-NATO territory.
India, while not a NATO ally, maintains close defense ties with the UK, and this event reflects a new era of operational trust and transparency between the two countries.
Military analysts also highlight the significance of the event as a real-world test of F-35 B's operational limits in challenging maritime environments and its reliance on allied infrastructure when deployed far from home.
Vanshita Thakor
Aviation Operations Intern
Asiatic International Crop
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