On June 14, a dramatic spectacle unfolded in Kerala as a British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter, caught in a perilous storm and critically low on fuel, urgently requested permission to land at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Unable to return to its aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, the sleek jet executed a gripping emergency landing, captivating onlookers and highlighting the high-stakes challenges of military aviation in crisis.
After taking off at 8:30 PM local time as part of a mock drill, the aircraft issued a distress alert just half an hour later and landed at Thiruvananthapuram Airport by 9:30 PM. Since then, it has remained grounded at the airport. Although India offered a hangar for the jet, the UK declined the offer, citing concerns over potential espionage involving its cutting-edge technology.
A Team From UK Arrived
The $100 million fighter jet was placed in an open bay, left exposed to both rain and sunshine. A week later, a 40-member team arrived to inspect the fault but couldn’t identify the issue. The jet still remains at Thiruvananthapuram. So, how is the UK trying to fly back its war machine?
Dismantling F-35B
UK authorities are now considering a plan to dismantle the stranded F-35B stealth fighter and airlift its components back to the UK aboard a heavy-lift military aircraft, such as a C-17 Globemaster, to safeguard its cutting-edge technology. Around 30–40 specialists from the UK are expected in early July to oversee this operation. Only engineers trained by Lockheed Martin Corporation, the company that built the F-35B fighter jet, can take it apart. The jet has secret, high-tech features. The British military must closely monitor the process to prevent any leaks or tampering. The theft of stealth technologies could reveal combat secrets, which can pose a threat with diplomatic and military consequences. Protecting stealth tech is critical for national defence integrity. The F-35 is the most expensive military programme at over $1.7 trillion. It is the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter jet in the world.
F-35 As Radar Blockers
The British F-35 fighter jet can avoid being detected by radar. It has a special outer coating and parts that block radar signals. It combines information from many tools and systems to help in modern air combat. However, Indian radar has said that they have detected the jet. The jet also has secure software and sensors. It is powerful enough to carry nuclear weapons. Countries that use the F-35 are very careful about who gets close to it because it contains highly sensitive technology.
For Kerala, It Is A Marketing Strategy
Kerala’s tourism minister is using the F-35 jet situation to promote tourism. The tourism department even made an ad about it and shared it on their social media handle. People are sharing memes about it on social media. The jet has now become a brand ambassador for the state.
