Emergency Landing in Kerala Turns into Unexpected Stay
A British F-35 stealth fighter jet, valued at over $110 million, has remained grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala for more than two weeks. Sudden adverse weather conditions compelled the jet, originally part of a military drill, to make an emergency landing on June 14 while it was en route during a joint maritime exercise.
This advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft was participating in operations with the Indian Navy as part of the United Kingdom’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group. The goal of the operation was to strengthen naval cooperation and to carry out joint missions in the region. However, the sudden weather disruption forced the jet to land at the Kerala airport, where it has remained since.
After landing, the crew initially believed the fighter would refuel and quickly return to its mission. But a technical malfunction occurred while the aircraft was on the ground, forcing the team to station it indefinitely at Bay No. 4 of the airport.
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Fighter Jet Faces Technical Setback
The F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, is among the most advanced aircraft in the world. It is capable of supersonic speeds and is known for its stealth design, making it difficult to detect by enemy radar systems. However, even the most advanced machines can face issues. In this case, the engineering fault that occurred after landing has proven too complex to fix on site.
Airport officials confirmed that attempts to resolve the issue while keeping the aircraft intact were unsuccessful. The team now considers dismantling the jet and transporting it to a repair facility as the only remaining option. Specialized personnel with advanced equipment will carefully handle the sensitive dismantling process to avoid damaging the jet’s highly advanced components.
Due to the aircraft’s size and sophistication, removing it from the airport in parts will be a challenging process, requiring both technical and logistical coordination. Although the jet has not disrupted any flight or airport operations so far, it has attracted attention from both media and local tourists at the civilian airport.
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Kerala Tourism Makes the Most of a Grounded Jet
Interestingly, the grounded F-35 has also become a talking point in local tourism circles. Kerala Tourism seized the opportunity to turn the situation into a lighthearted promotional moment. In a creative social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter, they shared a spoof review credited to the jet itself: “Kerala is such an amazing place, I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend.”
The caption of the post added humor to the situation: “Kerala, the destination you will never want to leave. Thank you, The Fauxy.” The message quickly gained traction online, with many praising the witty marketing approach. Locals and travelers passing through the airport have been spotted taking pictures near the aircraft, adding to the viral attention.
Despite the humor, the underlying situation remains serious. The military has grounded a high-value asset in a foreign location and now must take careful measures to move it safely. Security teams have tightened protection around the aircraft, and authorities have implemented steps to prevent unauthorized individuals from approaching or photographing sensitive parts of the jet.
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Reports also suggest that while the jet is under protection, it remains under the full control of its original operators. No part of the aircraft has been exposed to potential threats or breaches during its stay.
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The temporary but unexpected grounding of the F-35 in Kerala highlights the challenges that can arise even with the most modern and capable military systems. From weather changes to technical failures, many variables can impact the operations of such sophisticated machines.
For now, the F-35’s presence continues to draw curiosity and headlines, turning an emergency stop into an unplanned chapter in the story of this high-tech jet’s mission. As the dismantling process moves forward, its departure from Thiruvananthapuram will mark the end of an unusual episode for both the aircraft and the region that hosted it.