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British stealth fighter stuck in India after emergency landing during sortie over Indian Ocean

A team of 14 British engineers has arrived in Kerala to inspect and repair a cutting-edge F-35B fighter jet that has remained grounded at Thiruvananthapuram airport for over three weeks. The aircraft, part of the Royal Navy’s fleet, was diverted to the southern Indian city on 14 June after encountering adverse weather during a mission in the Indian Ocean.

Following its emergency landing, the jet experienced a technical malfunction that prevented it from returning to the HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier. Despite earlier assessments by onboard engineers, the issue remained unresolved.

The British High Commission confirmed on Sunday that a specialist team had been deployed with critical tools and equipment to evaluate and potentially restore the aircraft to flying condition. The jet was relocated to the airport’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility — an offer earlier accepted by the UK side but delayed due to logistical challenges.

Video clips shared by news agencies PTI and ANI captured the Royal Air Force’s Airbus arriving in Kerala, carrying the technical crew. Footage also showed the $110 million stealth aircraft being towed under tight security to a hangar for inspection.

Built by Lockheed Martin, the F-35B is known for its stealth features and its unique short take-off and vertical landing capabilities. Its prolonged presence at an Indian civilian airport has sparked interest across both countries, with social media flooded with memes and jokes referencing the jet’s reluctance to leave Kerala — famously branded “God’s own country”.

In the UK, the matter has been raised in the House of Commons, prompting questions about the logistics and challenges involved in supporting such high-tech aircraft overseas.

Officials say that if on-site repairs fail, the jet may need to be dismantled and flown out in a military cargo plane, such as a C-17 Globemaster. Meanwhile, six RAF officers continue to guard the aircraft around the clock.