British F-35B Jet Remains In Thiruvananthapuram As Royal Navy Declines India's Support Offers

Last Updated:June 20, 2025, 14:37 IST

A British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram Airport nearly a week after an emergency landing due to a suspected hydraulic failure.

CISF personnel stand guard near the British F-35 fighter jet that made an emergency landing after running low on fuel in Thiruvananthapuram (PTI photo)

Days after a British Royal Navy F-35B fighter made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14, it remains grounded there, multiple media reports suggest.

According to Money Control, India offered to move the jet to a hangar at the airport to help the British technical team carry out repairs. However, this offer was declined by the Royal Navy, the Indian Defence Research Wing said.

The Indian Air Force later suggested building a temporary shed at the site to protect the aircraft and ground crew from rain and heat, but this offer too was reportedly turned down, the report claimed.

The stealth jet, operating from the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, landed at the Thiruvananthapuram airport due to a suspected hydraulic issue.

The incident happened while it was on a routine flight outside Indian airspace when it developed a technical fault and diverted to the southern Indian airport, designated in advance as an emergency recovery site.

Though the emergency landing was safely executed and previously reported, the root issue, believed to be a fault in the aircraft’s hydraulic system, has not yet been resolved, leaving the fifth-generation combat jet stationed at the airport for nearly six days now.

According to news agency PTI, technicians from the carrier arrived shortly after the incident to begin inspection and repairs.

Six of them returned to the ship on Tuesday afternoon, while three personnel, including the pilot, remain at Thiruvananthapuram to oversee the rectification efforts.

The pilot did not remain in the cockpit after landing and has been resting in the airport’s apron office area. As part of precautionary protocol, the aircrew were moved to the Emergency Medical Centre after the incident.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (TIAL) has been facilitating their stay, providing accommodation and meals.

A local ground handling agency was also arranged at the Royal Navy’s request.

The Indian Air Force, which tracked and cleared the jet for landing through its IACCS radar network, supports the UK team in returning the aircraft to full service.

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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