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After over a month on the ground in southern India, the British Royal Navy’s F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter is finally preparing for take-off, bringing to a close an unexpected stay at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
The fifth-generation aircraft, part of the UK’s carrier strike group aboard HMS Prince of Wales, was forced to make an emergency landing on June 14 due to a combination of adverse weather conditions and operational constraints. What was initially viewed as a brief technical pause turned into a 35-day international repair operation, involving complex coordination between British defence officials, Indian authorities, and aerospace engineers.
A source confirmed, “The F-35B is scheduled to depart shortly. Necessary repair protocols have been completed, and the aircraft is deemed ready for flight.” While the exact timeline of its departure remains under wraps for security reasons, preparations are reportedly in their final phase.
Repairs on Indian Soil
This episode marks a rare instance of a frontline NATO stealth fighter undergoing repair work in a non-allied country. With no immediate access to British or NATO-aligned bases in the region, the UK opted to use a certified Indian Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, making it a notable milestone in Indo-UK defence cooperation.
Specialist UK engineers, including a second team of around 40 personnel, flew in earlier this month with equipment to restore the aircraft’s operational status. Initial repairs by Royal Navy technicians failed to resolve the issues, prompting the deployment of Lockheed Martin-authorised personnel.
The logistical challenge was compounded by the highly classified nature of the F-35’s systems, especially its stealth and sensor technologies. The aircraft remained under constant surveillance, jointly guarded by India’s Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and British military personnel.
Cost of Ground Time
The extended stay came with a financial bill as well. The F-35B has incurred parking charges estimated at Rs 26,261 (around $300) per day. Over 33 days, this amounts to more than Rs 8.6 lakh (approximately $10,000) so far, a significant but manageable cost for a frontline military asset of this scale.
Strategic Implications
The incident drew wide attention in defence circles, particularly after India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) reportedly tracked the aircraft while it was still over the Arabian Sea. Though the F-35 is designed for low observability, experts pointed out that “stealth” does not equate to complete invisibility, particularly when operating outside familiar combat environments.
While speculation had circulated whether the aircraft might be dismantled and shipped back aboard a C-17 transport plane, UK officials stressed that such a contingency would only be pursued if on-site repairs failed—which, fortunately, they did not.
A Diplomatic & Logistical Test
This rare international grounding served as a real-world test of cooperation between two nations increasingly aligned on maritime and security issues. It also highlighted the complexities involved in supporting advanced combat platforms far from home base.
Huma Siddiqui
