Thiruvananthapuram: A British F-35 fighter jet has remained grounded at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport for over ten days after a technical malfunction was detected in its hydraulic system. The stealth aircraft had landed unexpectedly on June 14 during a joint naval exercise in the Arabian Sea.

According to defence sources, the single-seater, fifth-generation aircraft, worth around $110 million (approx. ₹1,000 crore), landed at 9:30pm citing a fuel shortage. Post-landing inspection revealed a critical hydraulic fault. Repair efforts by a small British technical team were unsuccessful, and now a 30-member expert team from Britain and the United States is being flown in to assess the situation.

If the issue cannot be resolved locally, the UK Ministry of Defence may opt to airlift the aircraft back to Britain using a military cargo plane. This would be subject to a security assessment. British defence sources say the aircraft’s condition makes it unsafe to fly unless the hydraulic system is fully restored.

Meanwhile, the F-35 remains exposed to sun and monsoon rains in an open section of the airport, closely monitored by British personnel. The Indian Air Force (IAF) had suggested relocating it to a secure hangar nearby, but British authorities declined, citing concerns about the protection of sensitive stealth and communication technology.

The pilot, identified as Freddy, has returned to the UK. Meanwhile, Captain Mike, another British official, reportedly stayed stationed near the aircraft overnight, underscoring the level of caution surrounding the F-35.

Built by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 is one of the most advanced military aircraft in operation today. The variant grounded in India is believed to be the F-35B, capable of vertical takeoff and landing. These aircraft are currently deployed by a limited number of countries including the US, UK, and a few NATO allies.

India, which has opted against acquiring the F-35, is developing its own fifth-generation stealth fighter under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.

As per the JoSAA, further updates on the status of the F-35 and whether it will be repaired or airlifted are expected following the arrival of the 30-member technical delegation.