On 14 June, a British F‑35B Lightning stealth fighter, valued at £80 million, made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Southern India. The jet, operated from the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales, encountered adverse weather roughly 100 nautical miles off the Kerala coast.
The British F-35 stranded in India incident quickly drew attention, not just for its dramatic emergency landing, but for growing unease over potential exposure of classified technology.
F‑35B Emergency Touchdown in Kerala
The Indian Air Force, which detected and tracked the aircraft as part of its IACCS system, confirmed the following:
- The F‑35B was “undertaking routine flying outside of the Indian Air Defence Identification Zone”
- Thiruvananthapuram was “earmarked as the emergency recovery field”
- The fighter was “cleared for recovery”, and the IAF is “providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft”
Following the landing, technicians arrived via an AW101 Merlin helicopter from HMS Prince of Wales to examine the jet. However, they concluded it could not take off without specialised support from the UK.
The Royal Navy reportedly declined India’s offer to relocate the F‑35 into a hangar lane, fearing that sensitive stealth, sensor and mission systems might be scrutinised by India or other parties.
A Central Industrial Security Force unit was deployed to guard the jet continuously. Currently, the F‑35 remains parked in the open near the domestic terminal, under monsoon rain surveillance.
A spokesperson from the British High Commission in Delhi commented: “We are working to repair the UK F‑35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. We thank the Indian Authorities for their continued support.”
A Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 25.
Operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram
earmarked… pic.twitter.com/gL2CQcuJc7— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 15, 2025
Strategic Implications for Future Sales
The F‑35B Lightning, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is among the most advanced stealth fighters in service with NATO and select allies. It features cutting‑edge stealth coatings, mission systems and sensors, enabling both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑surface electronic warfare.
India does not yet operate the F‑35. However, President Trump had indicated earlier this year that steps were being taken to allow India to purchase these aircraft. That pledge preceded recent tensions between India and Pakistan, during which both sides claimed air victories.
What’s Next for the Stranded Jet
- A UK technical team is expected to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Repairs will be carried out under joint supervision.
- Once cleared, the F‑35B is scheduled to take off and rejoin operations at sea.
Key Takeaways
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Value | £80 million |
| ✈️ Model | F‑35B Lightning |
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram International Airport |
| ️ Security | Under round‑the‑clock guard by Indian forces |
| Repair | UK specialist team to oversee technical fixes |
The British F-35 stranded in India event highlights the delicate balance between operational necessity and safeguarding military tech. For now, the jet remains grounded, while international cooperation works behind the scenes to secure its swift return.
