‘Kerala vibes?’: UK’s stranded F-35 could be dismantled and removed by C-17 Globemaster
July 3, 2025
A UK Royal Navy fighter jet has been stuck in the southern Indian state of Kerala for more than two weeks. Now, it seems the stranded F-35 could be dismantled and airlifted back to Britain
Multiple attempts by Royal Navy engineers at Trivandrum airport have failed to fix the jet. Now, 19 days after it made an emergency landing, the Financial Express reports that the UK is considering dismantling it and returning it to the UK on a C-17 Globemaster.
As a state-of-the-art fighter jet, the F-35 needs specialised equipment and diagnostics that simply aren’t available in India. Returning the jet to the UK or a specialist F-35 maintenance facility will also ensure that strict security and technical standards are upheld.
The C-17 is more than capable of airlifting an F-35B with its 77-tonne payload capacity. An empty F-35B weighs in at around 14.5 tonnes.
However, the wingspan is too large for the C-17, which will mean engineers will need to remove the wings and disconnect dozens of systems in order to transport the jet out of India.
Airlifting an F-35 with a C-17 is not without precedent. In 2019, an F-35 had its wings removed and was meticulously loaded onto a USAF C-17 at Eglin AFB in Florida.
How did the UK F-35 become stranded in Kerala?
On 14 June, a Royal Navy F-35B operating from HMS Prince of Wales during Operation Highmast, was forced to make an emergency diversion to Thiruvananthapuram Airport (Trivandrum), Kerala, owing to low fuel, rough seas, and inclement weather that prevented it from landing on the carrier.
After landing, the fighter jet developed a technical problem which prevented it from resuming its duties. The UK has not provided any specifics on the nature of the problem, although media are reporting that it could be a hydraulic issue.
“A UK F-35 aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions,” the UK High Commission said. “The aircraft has subsequently developed an engineering issue whilst on the ground, which precluded its return to the Carrier.”
Since then, a technical team from the UK arrived at the airport on 18 June, but were unable to resolve the problem in situ. An expanded team of 30 to 40 engineers are reportedly en route to the airport to enable deeper troubleshooting.
The U.K is now considering airlifting a British F-35 fighter jet, stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India.
— Vanguard Intel Group 🛡 (@vanguardintel) July 3, 2025
The jet landed June 15 due to a hydraulic system failure initially reported as low fuel and adverse weather.
India offered hangar space for… pic.twitter.com/f8i2KO0vQV
Concerns have been raised about the security of the cutting-edge F-35, but the UK has asserted that the aircraft is under close control, with RAF personnel guarding it around the clock. In the House of Commons on 30 June, Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said,
“We continue to work with our Indian friends who provided first-class support when the F-35B was unable to return to the Prince of Wales when on a flight mission. I am certain that the security of the jet is in good hands because Royal Air Force crew are with it at all times.”
Kerala tourism pokes fun at stranded F-35
The official tourism board has decided to make the most of its unusual visitor, taking a light-hearted jab at the UK with a timely post on X.
Kerala, the destination you'll never want to leave.
— Kerala Tourism (@KeralaTourism) July 2, 2025
Thank you, The Fauxy.#F35 #Trivandrum #KeralaTourism pic.twitter.com/3lei66a5T2
The AI-generated image humorously placed the F-35 among the palm trees like a classic Kerala postcard.
Often referred to as “God’s Own Country,” the Indian state is known for its ‘Kerala vibes,’ a phrase that captures its atmosphere, cultural richness, and laid-back appeal.
Kerala Tourism cheekily implied the jet had been swept up in the state’s relaxing charm, and that even a cutting-edge warplane couldn’t resist the Kerala vibes.
