New Delhi, July 22, 2025 – The British Royal Navy’s F-35B stealth fighter jet left Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala today after being stuck there for over a month. It made an emergency landing on June 14 due to bad weather and low fuel while flying from the HMS Prince of Wales carrier. A hydraulic snag kept it grounded longer, but repairs wrapped up, and it flew out this morning. Airport officials confirmed the departure around 10 am local time, ending a long wait that sparked memes and talks online.
The jet was part of a naval drill in the Arabian Sea when trouble hit. The pilot sent a distress signal, and Indian Air Force guides helped it land safely. After refueling, the hydraulic issue showed up during checks, stopping takeoff. UK teams flew in with parts to fix it. They moved the plane to an Air India hangar on July 6 for work. A group of about 40 experts handled the repairs, making sure everything was ready.
This was a rare case of a high-tech jet getting fixed in India. The F-35B costs over $115 million and can do vertical landings, perfect for carriers. It stayed under tight security with help from Indian forces. The UK thanked India for the support and quick permissions.
What Led to the Long Stay
Bad weather forced the jet to circle without landing on the carrier. Fuel ran low, leading to the emergency call. Once on ground, the fault in the hydraulic system needed special tools from the UK. Initial small teams couldn’t fix it, so more help came. The plane sat in the open at first, even through rains, before going into the hangar.
Social media had fun with it. Kerala Tourism posted jokes about the jet not wanting to leave. One fake ad tried to sell it cheap online. But officials stayed focused on safety and rules.
Costs and Next Steps
The stay racked up parking fees of about Rs 26,000 per day, totaling over Rs 8 lakh. No big issues there for the military. Now back in the air, the jet heads home to rejoin its group. This shows good ties between India and the UK on defense matters. More such teamwork might happen in future drills.
The departure clears the spot at the airport. Folks in Kerala will miss the unusual visitor, but it’s good news for the Royal Navy.
