After 38 days stranded in southern India due to a technical malfunction, the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) stealth fighter F-35B took off again this Tuesday from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport towards the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, marking the end of an unusual and prolonged unplanned stopover that drew international attention.
The fifth-generation combat aircraft had made an emergency landing last June 14 after adverse weather conditions prevented its return to the aircraft carrier and later developed a hydraulic failure that left it inoperative. During all this time, it remained under the custody of Indian authorities and was subject to intense repair work.
According to the United Kingdom’s Defence Office in India, the aircraft resumed its operational activity after successfully completing the repairs and safety checks. “We are very grateful for all the support provided by the Indian authorities,” the agency stated through its official channels.
A complex repair and international cooperation
On July 7, nearly three weeks after the forced landing, a RAF C.1 Atlas (Airbus A400M) transport aircraft arrived in India, carrying a team of 14 engineers and, presumably, equipment and spare parts destined for the F-35B. The first crew sent from HMS Prince of Wales had been unable to fix the fault, so specialized intervention directly from the United Kingdom was necessary.
During the repair, the aircraft was moved to a hangar at the airport, after having remained outdoors under surveillance from India’s Central Industrial Security Force. The fighter still carried an ASRAAM air-to-air missile mounted on its right wing, which raised some security concerns due to the model’s technological sensitivity.
A still uncertain destination
Although its itinerary has not been officially confirmed, it is speculated that the F-35B may be heading to Australia to rejoin the embarked air group of HMS Prince of Wales, which is currently participating in the multinational exercise Talisman Sabre 25, alongside U.S. and Australian forces.
The British aircraft carrier leads the Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25) deployment under Operation Highmast, aimed at strengthening British presence in the Indo-Pacific. Onboard the ship are 24 F-35B fighters from the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, in a joint operation between both branches.
For its part, the aircraft that starred in this peculiar episode in India is the fighter with registration ZM168, assigned to RAF’s 617 Squadron “Dambusters” and operating jointly with Naval Air Squadron 809.
An unexpected… and viral stopover
During its prolonged stay in the coastal city of Thiruvananthapuram, the sophisticated fighter became an unusual attraction. Even Kerala’s tourism board joked about the situation by posting an image of the aircraft on the runway next to palm trees and the slogan: “Kerala, the destination you’ll never want to leave.”
Despite the technical challenges, the collaboration between the United Kingdom and India was highlighted by both parties as exemplary. British authorities publicly thanked the cooperation of airport staff and the Indian Armed Forces in the repair and security process.
With its takeoff this Tuesday, the F-35B finally returns to the skies after nearly two months of inactivity, leaving behind a peculiar chapter in the operational history of the modern British stealth fighter.
Cover photo used for illustrative purposes. – Images: UK Defence in India & Defence Operations.
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