A British F-35B stealth fighter jet, which was stranded at Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala, India for over five weeks, is finally ready to take to the skies again. The advanced jet, part of the Royal Navy’s fleet aboard the HMS Prince of Wales, landed on 14 June after being diverted due to adverse weather conditions during a sortie over the Indian Ocean.
Upon landing, the $110 million jet developed a technical fault that left it grounded for weeks, sparking public interest and speculation. The sight of the high-tech aircraft, parked and exposed to Kerala’s monsoon rains, led to a flurry of jokes and memes online, with some quipping that the jet had fallen in love with “God’s Own Country.”
Initial repair efforts by engineers from HMS Prince of Wales proved unsuccessful, prompting the UK Ministry of Defence to dispatch a specialized team of 14 engineers along with equipment to carry out on-site assessments and repairs. The team arrived at Thiruvananthapuram airport two weeks ago and worked discreetly to restore the jet’s airworthiness.
Airport officials have now confirmed that the F-35B has been declared airworthy and is scheduled to be pulled out of its hangar on Monday in preparation for departure on Tuesday. The exact time of departure and refuelling stopovers on its journey back to the UK remain undisclosed. Authorities also indicated that a backup aircraft may arrive to collect the technical crew and equipment.
Throughout the ordeal, the UK High Commission in India and defence officials refrained from disclosing specific repair details. The incident even caught the attention of the British Parliament, where it was raised in the House of Commons due to the length of the delay and the aircraft’s strategic importance.
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the F-35B is renowned for its stealth technology and vertical take-off and landing capabilities, making it a critical asset for modern naval operations. Its prolonged stay in Kerala, however unintended, brought an unexpected spotlight to the southern Indian state and a gentle reminder that even the world’s most advanced machines can have their off days.
