A state-of-the-art British F-35B fighter jet, which has been marooned at Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala for over five weeks, is poised to take flight. The jet, diverted to the Indian airport on June 14 due to bad weather during a sortie in the Indian Ocean, faced technical difficulties that prevented its immediate return.
Officials at the airport confirmed that the F-35B is set to be pulled back from the hangar on Tuesday, with further details about its refueling stops and the return of technicians still pending. Initially part of the HMS Prince of Wales fleet, the aircraft sparked intrigue and discussion about the logistics and challenges of modern military aviation operations when stranded in foreign territory.
Upon its grounding, the RAF sent a team of 14 engineers equipped with specialized tools to the site to salvage the situation after initial attempts by the Royal Navy’s engineers were unsuccessful. Speculation surrounded the possibility of dismantling the F-35B for transport if repairs could not be finalized, and images of the jet—often referred to as the "lonely F-35B"—circulated widely on social media, contrasting the advanced technology with its quirky predicament in Kerala's lush surroundings, fondly labeled "God's own country."
The Ministry of Defense has maintained a consistent but cautious communication approach regarding the repairs and the aircraft's status, and the matter garnered attention in the House of Commons, emphasizing the significance of this incident in global military aviation. Now confirmed airworthy, the F-35B's journey home will soon mark an end to a unique chapter in international aviation history.
