A British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet, grounded in Kerala is now racking up a ₹26,000 per day parking fee (photo source PTI)
From Skies to Standstill: How a $110M Jet Ended Up Parked in Kerala
UK’s F-35 Fighter Jet – On June 14, 2025, a British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II, one of the world’s most advanced stealth fighter jets was forced to make an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala. The aircraft, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, was returning from joint naval exercises with the Indian Navy when it encountered low fuel levels and adverse monsoon weather, making it impossible to return to the aircraft carrier stationed offshore.
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The Indian Air Force swiftly facilitated the landing, clearing Bay 4 typically reserved for VIP aircraft and providing logistical support. However, what began as a routine safety diversion quickly turned into a technical standoff. The jet developed a hydraulic snag, grounding it indefinitely on Indian soil.
Despite initial repair attempts by Royal Navy engineers, the issue proved more complex than anticipated. A 40-member team of British and American specialists is now en route with specialized equipment to attempt on-site repairs. If unsuccessful, the jet may need to be airlifted back to the UK using a C-17 Globemaster.
₹26,000 a Day: The Unexpected Price Tag of Parking a Warplane
While the jet remains grounded, Thiruvananthapuram airport authorities have begun calculating parking fees a move that has caught global attention. Based on the aircraft’s Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 27.3 metric tonnes, the estimated daily parking fee is ₹26,261, totaling over ₹3.15 lakh for 12 days.
This is the first time an F-35 has been stranded abroad, and the fee structure for such a military aircraft is unprecedented. While civilian aircraft are typically billed based on weight and duration, the F-35’s non-commercial, defense status complicates the billing process. Sources suggest that the Union government may cover the cost, given the diplomatic and defense context.
The jet’s prolonged stay has also sparked a wave of internet humor, with memes jokingly listing the $110 million aircraft for sale on OLX and suggesting it deserves Indian citizenship. But behind the levity lies a serious logistical and diplomatic effort to safeguard sensitive technology, maintain bilateral trust, and avoid operational disruptions.
Diplomacy, Defense, and Damage Control: What This Means for India-UK Ties
The incident has become a litmus test for India-UK defense cooperation. British officials have publicly thanked Indian authorities for their security, logistical, and technical support, including accommodation and meals for the stranded crew. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been guarding the jet round-the-clock, ensuring no unauthorized access to its classified stealth systems and avionics.
While some reports speculated that the UK declined to move the jet into a hangar due to trust issues, British officials clarified that the delay was due to lack of specialized equipment, not suspicion. The aircraft is expected to be relocated to the airport’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility once the engineering team arrives.
Defense analysts view the episode as a symbol of deepening strategic ties between the two nations. The F-35’s emergency landing, while operationally inconvenient, has showcased India’s readiness to support allied military assets and reinforced mutual trust.
However, the optics of a stranded fifth-generation fighter jet exposed to monsoon rains and public scrutiny have raised eyebrows in global defense circles. Experts warn that prolonged delays could be exploited by adversaries to question the resilience of Western defense logistics and partnerships.
Conclusion:
The saga of the stranded F-35B in Kerala is more than a quirky headline it’s a high-stakes intersection of technology, diplomacy, and logistics. As engineers race against time to get the jet airborne, the incident continues to draw global attention, spark online satire, and test the strength of India-UK defense ties. Whether it flies out or gets airlifted, one thing is certain: this fighter jet’s Indian layover won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
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