The US Marine Corps’ F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, which made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport over five weeks ago, is set to take off tomorrow, July 22.
The jet was grounded since June 14 after it experienced a hydraulic failure mid-flight while on a transit mission from the United Kingdom to Australia. The aircraft, which is part of a global deployment exercise, was forced to divert and land safely in Kerala, where it remained under close watch and security.
Specialized engineers from Lockheed Martin and the US military were flown in to carry out repairs and run diagnostics on the advanced fifth-generation fighter. All necessary parts and support systems were shipped from abroad, and sources confirm that repairs and final pre-flight checks are now complete.
During its stay, the F-35B — known for its short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities — drew considerable attention from defense enthusiasts and aviation experts in India. Security was tightened around the hangar area due to the aircraft’s classified systems and stealth technologies.
Airport authorities confirmed that all clearances have been granted for the fighter’s departure. The takeoff is expected to occur early Tuesday morning under tight security, marking the end of a rare and high-profile military stopover in Kerala.
