On July 21, 2025, a good news came that the F-35B fighter jet of the British Royal Navy, who was implicated for 37 days at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, is now set to fly. On 14 June 2025, this jet made emergency landing due to bad weather and low fuel.
After this, it took more than five weeks to repair it. Now a team of 25 people of British engineers has cured its technical fault. The jet test is ready for a trial sorty.
What happened in Thiruvananthapuram?
At around 9:28 pm on 14 June 2025, the F-35B Lightning of British Royal Navy II fighter Jet Thiruvananthapuram landed for emergency landing at International Airport. The jet was flying from HMS Prince of Wales, which is a large UK aircraft carrier.
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It was on a common flight (routine sorty) in the Arabian Sea, 100 natical miles (about 185 km) from the Kerala coast of India, a part of a joint exercise between the Navy of India and the UK.
But due to bad weather and low fuel, Jet had to land in Thiruvananthapuram. The Indian Air Force (IAF) helped its safe landing through its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACS). Initially it felt that the jet would be sent back to the fuel, but when it was prepared for the flight, it was discovered that its hydraulic system and the oxyliery power unit (APU) malfunctioned.
What is F-35b Jet?
The F-35B Lightning II is the world’s most modern and expensive fighter jet, created by American company Lockheed Martin. Its price is around $ 110–120 million (about 900-1000 crores). This is the fifth generation stealth jet, which means that it can avoid radar. There are some special things …
- Stovl (Short takeoff and vertical landing): This jet can fly from small runways. Can land up and down directly like a helicopter. Because of this, these aircraft carriers God forbid! An aircraft carrier doesn’t a long runway!
- advanced technologies: It has sensors, radars and data-sharing systems, which make it a game-chain in the air.
- Weapon: These can carry missiles and smart bombs, which can carry out accurate attacks from long distances.
- hydraulic system: It runs the landing gear, brake and control surface of jet. APU gives backup power, which is necessary in emergency.
The F-35B is used by the British Royal Navy from its aircraft carriers, such as HMS Prince of Wales. This jet is so advanced that it is also called flying computer.
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Why did the jet get stuck?
After the landing, the jet was refused, but when preparations were made to blow it back, the hydrophic system and the APU were caught in a malfunction. This malfunction was so serious that the jet could not fly. Initially, three British technicians from HMS Prince of Wales tried to repair, but they failed. The reason for this was …
- Complex techniques: The hydraulic system and APU of F-35 are very advanced. To fix them, special equipment and experts are needed, which were not available in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Monsoon season: The jet was standing in the open at number 4. The rain of Kerala made repair more difficult.
Initially, the British Navy turned down offer to take Jet to Air India hangar, as he wanted to keep his stealth technique confidential. But 22 days later, on 6 July, Jet was shifted to Hazar 2 of Air India, where the repair started.
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Repair suspense: How did it happen?
On July 6, a team of 25 British and American engineers reached Thiruvananthapuram by RAF’s A400M Atlas aircraft. He also came with special equipment and a tow vehicle (a vehicle drawn to the jet). This team started repairing Jet in Air India’s MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhall) hangar. During this …
- Security: The hanger was completely sealed, so that the privacy of the advanced technology of the jet remains. The British military personnel were guarding the hangar. The Indian Security Force (CISF) was excluded.
- Missure: There was a problem between hydrophological systems and APU, which are essential for jet flight and landing. Engineers investigated and repaired them.
- Time: The repair took 37 days, as the malfunction was complex and strict investigation of each part was necessary.
Now, by 21 July 2025, Engineers have cured the malfunction. The jet is being taken out of the hangar. This test is ready for flight. Only after the Test flight will it be decided whether Jet HMS will return to Prince of Wales. If the Test is successful, the jet will fly soon. If not, it can be dismantled to Britain by dismantling in RAF C-17 GlobeMaster III.
Help India: proof of friendship
In this entire incident, the Indian Air Force and Thiruvananthapuram Airport supported Britain. Some special things …
- IAF support: The Indian Air Force ensured safe landing of jet through IACS and provided refueling, living arrangements and technical help.
- CISF security: The Central Industrial Security Force provided 24 -hour security to Jet, when it was standing in the open number 4.
- Air India hanger: Air India’s MRO Hanger was made available for repair, which was necessary for the British team.
The British High Commission thanked India and said that we are grateful for the continuous cooperation of Indian officials and airport team. We are trying to fix F-35 as soon as possible.
What learned?
F-35’s stagnation of 37 days in Thiruvananthapuram teaches many things …
- Challenge of Advanced Technology: Repair of jets like F-35 is not easy, especially on foreign land.
- India-Britain friendship: The incident further strengthened military cooperation between the two countries.
- security and privacy: How important it is to maintain confidentiality in repairing stealth jet, it became clear.
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