The Royal Navy has reportedly turned down an offer from Air India to provide hangar space for its F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, which has been stationed outside at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since an emergency landing on June 14. The incident occurred after the pilot indicated low fuel levels, prompting the landing of the advanced fifth-generation fighter, which is part of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group.
Since the aircraft’s emergency landing, British aviation engineers have been engaged in efforts to rectify a persistent hydraulic system malfunction that has left the fighter grounded. Sources indicate that the Royal Navy’s decision to decline the hangar offer is primarily rooted in concerns regarding the security of the F-35B’s classified technologies. As a platform equipped with state-of-the-art stealth capabilities, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare systems, the F-35B is considered one of the most safeguarded military assets globally.
Experts in security have voiced concerns that parking the fighter in a civilian hangar in India could potentially expose sensitive and proprietary technologies to unauthorized access. This apprehension aligns with established military protocols aimed at protecting valuable defense assets from possible compromise.
While the Royal Navy currently maintains its position, there are indications that a final inspection or repair phase might lead to a reevaluation of the hangar offer. In the meantime, the aircraft remains under a strict security detail, attracting significant attention from both local spectators and international defense analysts.
The incident comes on the heels of recent joint maritime exercises conducted by India and the UK in the Indo-Pacific region. Although the Indian Air Force confirmed the emergency landing and has pledged full support to the situation, the F-35B is awaiting clearance to rejoin its carrier group once the technical issues are resolved.
This ongoing standoff not only underscores the challenges of maintaining advanced military assets but also highlights broader implications for defense cooperation and logistics between India and its strategic partners. It reflects the delicate balance that must be navigated between providing assistance and ensuring operational confidentiality in military operations.
