UK F-35B Fighter Jet Departs Kerala After Grounding at Thiruvananthapuram Airport

Quick Summary

• The UK Royal Air Force’s F-35B stealth fighter jet, grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Kerala, since June 14, flew out on July 22, 2025, heading to Darwin in Australia.
• the aircraft was stationed following an emergency landing due to low fuel and engineering issues during deployment with HMS Prince of Wales in the Indian Ocean.
• Maintenance work addressed major snags related to the auxiliary power unit; repairs took over two weeks by a British expert team arriving on July 6.
• Approximately ₹5 lakh parking fees were incurred for its prolonged stay, charged based on size/weight and days parked (₹15K-₹20K/day). Additional fees applicable for hangar use by AI Engineering Services Ltd.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The prosperous resolution of technical difficulties faced by an advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter like the F-35B highlights India’s role as a reliable host during global military contingencies and emergencies. While the extended grounding emphasized dependence on specialized international teams for maintenance of such sophisticated aircraft, it offered local entities like AI Engineering Services Ltd. operational exposure and fee-based revenue opportunities (~₹5 lakh).

India’s infrastructure readiness-to accommodate emergency landings of high-profile military assets-is vital given its strategic location along global air routes within the Indo-Pacific corridor.This incident subtly underscores India’s growing relevance in regional defence logistics support while showcasing Thiruvananthapuram airport’s capability beyond civilian purposes.

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