World's Most Expensive Fighter Jet: How Much Does F-35B Cost And Why Is It Still Grounded In Kerala
The Lockheed Martin fighter jet was supposed to depart by Tuesday morning, but it remains delayed.
A British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport over 72 hours after it made an emergency landing on Saturday night due to a technical snag. The jet, part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, diverted to the airport, reportedly due to low fuel levels.
According to Onmanorama, Indian Defence PRO and Thiruvananthapuram airport officials said that the IAF is handling the issue and they have not yet received a formal update on the status of the landed aircraft.
The F-35B reaches speeds up to Mach 1.6 while carrying a full internal payload. Its stealth design includes radar-absorbing materials, internal weapons bays, and precisely aligned surfaces, making it extremely difficult to detect. An advanced sensor suite provides pilots with a real-time, integrated view of the battlefield. The aircraft measures 51.2 feet long, 14.3 feet high, with a 35-foot wingspan and 6,800 kg payload capacity. The F-35B can weigh up to 60,000 pounds at takeoff.
The short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) jet, worth over $100 million per unit, launched from the British Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier around 100 nautical miles from the Indian coast. However, the single-seat aircraft was unable to land due to adverse weather conditions. The UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the Indo-Pacific following a series of joint exercises with the Indian Navy.
Subsequently, the aircraft pilot sought an emergency landing by contacting Air Traffic Control on an international distress frequency. After this, it was diverted to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The Lockheed Martin fighter jet was supposed to depart by Tuesday morning, but it remains delayed. Currently parked in the General Aviation terminal, the aircraft requiresthe Indian Air Force’s clearance to fly back. It is being guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel.
On the development, the IAF also issued a brief statement, calling the incident a "normal occurrence of diversion by F-35."
"The IAF is fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance is being given, and the IAF is in coordination with all agencies," an IAF spokesperson said.
The day after the emergency landing, the F-35's pilot was transported back to the HMS Prince of Wales (R09) with the help of a Royal Navy AW101 Merlin helicopter. This indicates that the jet's return to sea-based operations may take longer than initially anticipated.
