While the UK nervously braces for a possible second Trump term, another strategic headache brews in India, as Britain’s prized US-made F-35 fighter jet lies helpless in Kerala’s monsoon rain, grounded for over ten days and turning from cutting-edge stealth to soaking embarrassment.
A team of British and American technicians is continuing efforts to fix the faults of a British F-35 fighter jet, which has been grounded at Thiruvananthapuram airport due to a mechanical issue. However, uncertainty still surrounds the aircraft’s return journey.
The advanced fighter jet has remained parked in an open area of the airport for the past ten days. Reports suggest that a 30-member team of British and American specialists is set to arrive to address the damage. If the repairs prove unsuccessful, airlifting the aircraft back is being considered.
Current inspections have revealed damage to the aircraft’s hydraulic system, a fault that is reportedly difficult to fix. It is considered unsafe to fly the F-35 without restoring full hydraulic functionality. Additionally, there are indications that if the aircraft remains at the airport much longer, British authorities may be required to pay rental fees for using the facility.
Earlier, a five-member British team had arrived in Thiruvananthapuram to assess the technical issues. The pilot, Freddy, and two technicians who initially accompanied the aircraft have since returned. The newly arrived British officials have taken charge of the jet, and based on their findings, a 30-member expert team will now fly in, equipped to inspect and retrieve the aircraft. This team is expected to include technicians from Lockheed Martin, the American company that manufactures the F-35.
The F-35 had taken off from HMS Prince of Wales, a British warship stationed in the Arabian Sea for military exercises, and landed at Thiruvananthapuram airport at 9:30 p.m. on June 14. At first, it was claimed that the landing was due to a fuel shortage. However, since then, the jet has remained on the tarmac, exposed to both rain and intense sunlight.
The $110 million F-35 has been left in open air at the airport, enduring Kerala’s monsoon rains. British pilots remain on-site, closely monitoring the situation. The Indian Air Force has reportedly recommended moving the aircraft into a hangar due to the weather conditions. However, British authorities have declined, citing security concerns about relocating the jet to a facility controlled by another nation. They insist that the aircraft should not be moved to any external maintenance centre.
After the emergency landing, Captain Mike, who had piloted the aircraft, was seen sitting in a chair beside it. When Indian Air Force officials arrived to take over security protocols, he refused to leave the jet’s side. He requested a chair and remained seated next to the aircraft for an extended period. He departed only after a British helicopter arrived the following day with technicians to begin repairs.
A standout feature of the fifth-generation F-35 fighter is its stealth technology, designed to evade detection by enemy radar systems. Radar systems typically detect aircraft by sending out radio waves and identifying objects based on the waves that bounce back. However, the F-35 is engineered to absorb or deflect these waves, making it nearly invisible to traditional radar.
The US claims that while standard fighter jets can be identified and engaged from 400–500 kilometres away, the F-35 remains undetectable at such ranges. However, the fact that Indian radar systems were able to detect the aircraft has taken many by surprise.
Britain’s immediate concern is no longer just repairing the aircraft but preventing any potential leak of sensitive technology. What began as a mechanical fault has now spiralled into a strategic nightmare, with the F-35’s prolonged exposure on foreign soil raising alarms in defence circles back home.
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