A British F-35B stealth jet has been grounded in Kerala for nearly three weeks.

By Aniket Chakraborty

July 4, 2025

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INDIA NEWS

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The advanced fighter made an emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram on June 15.

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After failed repairs, the UK plans to dismantle and airlift it back home via C-17 aircraft.

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Only Lockheed Martin-certified engineers are allowed to touch the aircraft's internals.

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Every bolt and screw will be coded and tracked to prevent any classified tech leak.

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The F-35’s radar-blocking stealth coating and AI-driven combat systems are highly sensitive.

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The jet can carry nuclear arms—making foreign exposure a grave security risk.

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Dismantling must follow protocols established during a rare 2019 F-35 airlift in the US.

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The operation reflects the F-35’s $1.7 trillion status as the world’s costliest war machine.

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For UK and India, this is not just logistics—it’s about secrecy, sovereignty, and trust.

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