A British F‑35B Lightning II fighter jet, grounded at Thiruvananthapuram Airport since June 14 due to a hydraulic failure, is now in the final stages of repair. The jet was forced to make an emergency landing during a maritime exercise over the Arabian Sea after reporting both hydraulic issues and low fuel. Initial repair efforts by the onboard Royal Navy crew were unsuccessful, prompting the arrival of a specialized engineering team from the UK along with critical spare parts.

Over the past few weeks, the aircraft’s hydraulic systems and auxiliary power unit were thoroughly serviced. The jet has now been refuelled, indicating that a successful test phase is nearing completion. While the UK has not officially confirmed a departure timeline, Indian authorities anticipate the aircraft will return to its base by the fourth week of July.

In the meantime, the grounded jet has become an unexpected attraction in Kerala, even inspiring humorous posts from the state tourism department, celebrating the aircraft’s prolonged stay. Security and final checks are ongoing in coordination with the Indian Air Force and UK personnel.