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Nearly three weeks after a British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet made an unexpected landing at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the advanced warplane remains grounded.
While there are speculations about the possibility of dismantling and flying it out aboard a C-17 Globemaster, sources have confirmed that no final decision has been made regarding disassembly.
No Plans Yet for Dismantling
Contrary to several media reports, defence sources say that dismantling the F-35B is not currently confirmed. “There is another team of engineers on their way to India to attempt repairs,” a source familiar with the matter told this publication. British authorities are reportedly exploring all options to minimise disruption and logistical complications.
If repair efforts fail, airlifting the aircraft aboard a US-made C-17 Globemaster could be the fallback plan. However, transporting a fifth-generation stealth fighter in such a manner poses serious technical and security challenges, including the risk of exposing sensitive technology.
Why the Emergency Landing?
The jet, a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant from the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales, diverted to Thiruvananthapuram on June 14 after it was unable to return to its carrier. Official statements from the British High Commission attribute the diversion to adverse weather, but sources within Indian defence circles indicate low fuel levels also contributed to the decision.
After landing safely, the pilot reportedly declined to taxi the aircraft to the hangar, citing safety concerns. Since then, engineering teams—including Royal Navy personnel—have tried, but failed, to fix the jet’s grounding issue.
Radar Detection Raises Eyebrows
Adding fuel to the debate, the Indian Air Force publicly claimed that its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) detected the F-35 over the Arabian Sea. This development raised eyebrows globally, as the F-35 is marketed as a “radar-invisible” aircraft. The claim has triggered renewed scrutiny over the stealth fighter’s actual capabilities.
IT is not the first time questions have been raised about the F-35’s invincibility. Experts point out that while the aircraft is extremely hard to detect, no platform is entirely invisible, mainly when operating near ground-based radar systems in unfamiliar territory.
Memes, Tourism, and Internet Jokes
What could have been a discreet military logistics challenge has instead turned into a viral moment in India. The Kerala Tourism Department seized the opportunity, releasing a cheeky promotional poster featuring the jet, captioned: “Whatever comes, never goes away.” Social media erupted with memes and jokes suggesting the fighter jet had “fallen in love” with Kerala’s weather and coconut trees.
Tight Security, High Stakes
The grounded fighter remains under 24×7 security by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and a Royal Navy detachment. Concerns over potential data breaches have reportedly prompted the UK to restrict access and mandate that only Lockheed Martin-certified engineers handle any dismantling procedures, should the need arise.
Each component, right down to the screws, would require specialized handling with unique codes to prevent any theft or data leaks involving stealth technology.
What’s Next?
A 40-member team of engineers is expected to arrive in Kerala on July 5 to reassess the situation and possibly initiate advanced repairs. If those efforts fail, the jet may be carefully disassembled, loaded into a C-17 Globemaster, and flown back to the United Kingdom—though even that operation would take weeks of planning due to space constraints and aircraft sensitivity.
A Fighter Jet Turned Tourist Attraction
Whether the aircraft flies out under its own power—or in parts—is still uncertain. But for now, one thing is clear: the world’s most advanced fighter jet has become an unlikely guest in “God’s Own Country.”
Huma Siddiqui
