Royal Navy Declines Air India's Hangar Offer for Grounded F-35B in Kerala

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. The aircraft has been stationed outdoors at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since an emergency landing took place on June 14.

The UK’s HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group's fifth-generation fighter jet was forced to land due to low fuel, and since then, British aviation engineers have been attempting to fix a hydraulic system issue that has kept the aircraft grounded.

Sources indicate that the decision to leave the aircraft outside a hangar is driven by concerns over the sensitive and classified technologies of the F-35B. As a fighter jet of American origin, it boasts advanced stealth capabilities, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare systems, marking it as one of the most secure military assets globally.

Security experts suggest that storing the jet in an Indian civilian hangar could expose proprietary technologies. The UK's caution aligns with standard military protocols aimed at securing high-value defense assets.

Although the Royal Navy has currently opted against using the hangar, there is speculation that the offer might be reconsidered during the final inspection or repair phase. For now, the jet remains heavily guarded, capturing the attention of both local onlookers and international defense analysts.

The jet's presence in Kerala comes after recent joint maritime exercises between India and the UK in the Indo-Pacific region. The Indian Air Force confirmed the emergency landing and has been providing support. The aircraft remains grounded, awaiting resolution of its technical issues before it can rejoin its carrier group.

This situation also underscores the broader implications for defense cooperation and logistics between India and its strategic partners, as it seeks to balance assistance with the need for operational confidentiality.