World’s most expensive fighter jet is worth Rs…, why is this deadly weapon still grounded in Kerala, its name is..

The jet is packed with high-tech sensors that give pilots a full view of the battlefield in real time. It is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world.

A British Royal Navy fighter jet, the F-35B, has been stuck at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala for over 72 hours after it made an emergency landing on Saturday night. The jet had to land unexpectedly due to a technical problem, and reports say it was also running low on fuel.

The aircraft is part of the UK’s aircraft carrier group, HMS Prince of Wales, which is currently in the Indo-Pacific region for joint exercises with the Indian Navy. The fighter jet had taken off from the carrier, which was about 100 nautical miles off the Indian coast. However, due to bad weather, it couldn’t return to the ship and had to divert to the nearest airport.

Officials from the Indian Air Force (IAF) are currently handling the matter. Local airport authorities and the Indian Defence spokesperson have confirmed that they have not received any formal update yet about when the jet will be flown out or repaired.

The F-35B can fly at very high speeds up to Mach 1.6 and is specially designed to be hard to detect by radar. The jet can take off from short runways and even land vertically like a helicopter. It is equipped with high-tech sensors that give pilots a full view of the battlefield in real time. It is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world.

This single-seat fighter jet is about 51 feet long and can carry a payload of nearly 7,000 kg. It costs over USD 100 million (Rs 835 crore) and is considered a major asset in modern warfare.

The pilot had contacted Air Traffic Control using an international emergency frequency before landing around 9:30 p.m.

The jet, made by Lockheed Martin, was expected to fly out by Tuesday morning, but that plan has been delayed. It is currently parked at the General Aviation terminal, under guard by CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) personnel. The jet cannot take off again without a go-ahead from the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The IAF issued a short statement on the incident, calling it a routine diversion. “The IAF is fully aware of the situation and is providing all necessary support. We are coordinating with all relevant agencies to ensure flight safety,” an IAF spokesperson said.

A day after the landing, the pilot of the F-35 was flown back to the UK’s aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, using a Royal Navy AW101 Merlin helicopter. This move suggests that the fighter jet may remain at the airport for a longer period before it can return to its sea-based operations.