U.K. Navy's F-35 Jet Stranded in India Fixed, Trial Flight Today

The British F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, which had been grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala for more than a month, has been repaired and is expected to conduct a trial flight today, according to airport officials.

The fifth-generation stealth jet made an emergency landing on June 14 after experiencing a hydraulic failure while returning to the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. The aircraft was diverted to the Indian airport due to poor weather conditions and low fuel.

The technical fault—affecting the landing gear, brakes, and control surfaces—has now been rectified. The aircraft was moved out of the Air India hangar on Monday evening using special equipment and positioned at Bay 4 for final inspections. The jet will now be pulled out of the hangar this evening for a trial sortie to assess airworthiness ahead of its return to the U.K., Indian media reported.

A team of 14 technicians from the U.K., including engineers from the manufacturer Lockheed Martin, had arrived on July 6 aboard a Royal Air Force A400M Atlas with spare parts and repair tools. This team is expected to return home on Tuesday, depending on the trial flight’s outcome.

Initial concerns suggested the jet might need to be dismantled and shipped back due to the severity of the hydraulic issue. However, the on-site repair effort appears to have succeeded, avoiding a more complex logistical operation.

The jet’s presence in Kerala sparked public interest, with images circulating widely online and even prompting a tongue-in-cheek social media post from Kerala Tourism thanking the U.K. for its ‘visit’.

Meanwhile, Air India is expected to receive around ₹8 lakh (approximately $9,250) in rent for hangar and airport facilities used by the jet. Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., which manages the airport, may also levy additional fees for the extended stay.

The F-35B, valued at over $110 million, is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings. It is one of the core combat aircraft operated by NATO forces and plays a key role in modern naval aviation.