THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India – The British Royal Navy's F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, widely regarded as one of the world's most expensive and technologically advanced combat aircraft, remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for the fourth consecutive day. The aircraft made an unscheduled emergency landing on Saturday night (June 14) after encountering a suspected hydraulic system failure and dangerously low fuel levels during a routine flight.

The F-35B, part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group currently operating in the Indo-Pacific region following joint exercises with the Indian Navy, was forced to divert to the Kerala capital. Its unexpected presence has drawn considerable attention from aviation enthusiasts and the public.

British aviation engineers have been working intensively on site to resolve the technical snag. Despite their efforts, the issue has reportedly remained unresolved, delaying the jet's return to its mother ship. Indian authorities, including the Indian Air Force (IAF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and airport officials, have been providing full logistical support and maintaining a strict security cordon around the highly sensitive aircraft parked in Bay 4.

The F-35B variant, known for its Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) capability, is a crucial component of modern air power for NATO and partner nations. Its prolonged grounding in India underscores the complexities involved in maintaining such sophisticated military assets.