A British Royal Navy jet, F-35B worth £80 million was forced to make an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India after encountering bad weather mid-flight.
It has been ten days since the incident but the jet remains stranded at the airport.
On the night of its arrival, an helicopter was sent with technicians to assess the fighter. However, it was later decided that the aircraft could not take off without support from a specialist team based in the UK.
UK says no to India on F-35B — but why?
According to media reports, Indian authorities offered to assist in moving the jet, but the UK declined the help, reportedly because “it did not want Indian personnel—or any potential third party—getting a closer look at the aircraft’s protected technologies.”
On June 15th, the Indian Air Force (IAF) posted a photo of the F-35B on social media platform X. The IAF stated: “IAF is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft.”
According to the IAF, the F-35B was detected and identified by its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) network and cleared for recovery. The jet was conducting a routine flight outside Indian air defence identification zone (ADIZ), with Thiruvananthapuram designated as the emergency recovery airfield.
A Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 25.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 15, 2025
Operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram
earmarked… pic.twitter.com/gL2CQcuJc7
