Thiruvananthapuram: After a 35-day unscheduled halt at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the British Royal Navy's F-35 fighter jet is finally set to take off on July 22, en route to the UK via the Middle East. The jet, which landed unexpectedly on June 14 due to a fuel shortage during joint exercises between the Indian and British navies in the Arabian Sea, has racked up hefty parking charges during its extended stay.
According to reports from CNBC-TV18, the daily parking fee for the advanced stealth aircraft amounts to ₹26,261, bringing the total charges for the 35-day period to approximately ₹9.19 lakh, as billed by the Indian Defense Research Wing (IDRW).
Initially secured by CISF personnel at Bay No. 4, the jet has since been moved to Air India’s hangar, where it is undergoing repairs. A 24-member specialist team from the British Royal Air Force arrived in the city on July 6 to diagnose and fix the technical fault.
All repair operations are being carried out under tight security, with British military personnel guarding the site. Interestingly, the maintenance is taking place without standard safety staff inside the secondary hangar, highlighting the secrecy and sensitivity surrounding the operation.
Valued at over $110 million, the F-35 Lightning II is one of the most sophisticated fighter jets in the world, equipped with cutting-edge stealth, surveillance, and combat capabilities. Its unexpected grounding in India has turned into a high-profile, behind-the-scenes mission involving diplomacy, defense protocols, and meticulous engineering under watchful eyes.