Former head of Royal Navy sacked over conduct

He added that he fully accepted the decision and was “very sorry to those I have hurt personally”.

In response, Sir Ben said: “I deeply regret my conduct in the spring of last year, which fell well below the standard I set for myself and that which I set for the Royal Navy.”

Former Adm Sir Ben Key’s behaviour was found to have “fallen far short of the values and standards expected of service personnel” a statement said.

The former head of the Royal Navy has had his service terminated following an investigation into his behaviour, the Ministry of Defence has said.

At the end of his statement, Sir Ben said he was “very grateful” for the support of his wife, family and friends during what he described as “a very difficult time”.

Sir Ben, 59, was due to retire from his position this summer, after serving as the head of the Royal Navy since 2021.

He was removed from his duties in May because of the investigation into allegations of misconduct.

Reports in the Sun at the time suggested Sir Ben had been having an affair with a more junior female colleague.

Such relationships are frowned upon and seen as a potential abuse of power and contrary to the military service code of conduct.

Chief of Defence Staff, Adm Sir Tony Radakin, said: “We expect the highest standards of behaviour from our service personnel and our civil servants.

“We investigate all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and will take robust action against anyone found to have fallen short of our standards, regardless of their seniority.”

Typically, senior officers keep their military title long after they’ve retired, but not Sir Ben. He has been stripped of his commission but retains his knighthood and his pension.

Sir Ben joined the navy as a university cadet in 1984 where he later qualified as both helicopter aircrew and as a principal warfare officer. As a junior officer he saw service around the world in a variety of frigates and destroyers.

He was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2021 New Years Honours List.

He was appointed to first sea lord in November 2021 and is succeeded by Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins of the Royal Marines.

The British Royal Navy’s F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, widely regarded as one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, has been stuck in Kerala for nearly 19 days, leaving many wondering why it hasn’t been able to take off. While the jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport due to an engineering problem, the state’s tourism department seized the opportunity to share a humorous post that has now gone viral on social media. However, the playful jab hasn’t landed well with some British publications.

The Stranded F-35B: A High-Tech Fighter at a Standstill

The F-35B Lightning II, which has been hailed as a technological marvel, was grounded on June 14 at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala. Known for its speed, stealth capabilities, and advanced weaponry, the fighter jet is designed to reach speeds of up to 1.6 times the speed of sound, evade enemy radar with electronic warfare technology, and take down adversaries with guided missiles and a powerful 25mm cannon.

Despite these remarkable capabilities, the F-35B has faced an unexpected issue: it has been unable to take off from Kerala. The official explanation is that the jet is grounded due to an engineering problem. However, the extended delay has sparked curiosity, with many wondering whether there might be other reasons behind its prolonged stay in the state.

Kerala Tourism’s Humorous Response to the F-35’s Predicament

Kerala Tourism, known for its vibrant marketing campaigns and its clever use of social media, took advantage of the situation to inject some humor into the mix. The tourism department posted a playful jab at the grounded fighter jet, sharing an AI-generated image of the F-35B Lightning II surrounded by Kerala’s iconic coconut palm trees, a staple of the state’s picturesque landscape.

The image, which humorously depicted the fighter jet seemingly ‘stuck’ in a tropical paradise, quickly gained traction online, with many users praising Kerala Tourism for its quick wit. The post was accompanied by a cheeky caption that added to the playful tone, referencing the jet’s inability to take off as an unintended bonus for the state’s tourism promotion.

While the post generated plenty of social media buzz, not everyone appreciated the lighthearted response. Several British publications and readers criticized Kerala Tourism’s approach, questioning the humor in a situation involving a sophisticated military asset.

The Media Reaction: Did Kerala Tourism’s Joke Miss the Mark?

The image shared by Kerala Tourism was meant to be a humorous and lighthearted jab, but it wasn’t received the same way by everyone. Some British publications viewed the post as disrespectful to the British Royal Navy, given the technical challenges faced by the F-35B. The UK’s media, particularly those focused on military and aviation matters, took issue with the way the situation was being portrayed, considering it trivialized the complexities surrounding military operations and technical failures.

The F-35B’s continued grounding has been a matter of significant interest, with experts speculating about the extent of the engineering problem and its potential impact on future missions. The aircraft’s inability to take off has raised questions about the reliability of such a high-tech machine, and many in the defense community have been following the situation closely.

While Kerala Tourism’s post may have been intended as a lighthearted remark, some observers argue that it oversimplified a technical issue involving a highly advanced military aircraft, thus diluting the seriousness of the matter.

Why the F-35B is Stranded in Kerala: What We Know So Far

The F-35B Lightning II, part of the British Royal Navy’s fleet, is not just any regular fighter jet. It’s an advanced multi-role stealth fighter capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). This jet can perform a wide range of missions, including air superiority, precision strikes, and close air support. Its cutting-edge technology makes it one of the most important assets in modern military operations.

However, despite its advanced engineering, the jet is currently grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport due to an unspecified engineering issue. Initial reports suggest that the problem may be related to a mechanical or technical malfunction that is preventing the jet from flying. It’s not uncommon for complex military technology to experience issues, but the extended duration of this delay has raised eyebrows.

The grounding of the F-35B comes at a time when such jets are in high demand for military operations, especially in regions where air superiority is critical. The fact that the fighter jet is still stuck in Kerala, a non-military location, has been a topic of much discussion and speculation among aviation enthusiasts and defense experts alike.

The Role of Social Media in Shaping Public Perception

Kerala Tourism’s social media post about the stranded F-35B highlights the growing role of social media in shaping public perception, especially regarding events that blend humor with serious matters. The post garnered attention not only from Kerala residents but also from a global audience, including many who might not otherwise be aware of the situation at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

While some may argue that the post trivialized the issue, others believe it successfully highlighted Kerala’s unique identity, showing that even in such unusual circumstances, the state’s natural beauty and charm can take center stage. The AI-generated image of the jet among the coconut trees, for example, cleverly emphasized Kerala’s iconic tourism image while also offering a humorous commentary on the situation.

It’s a delicate balance for organizations like Kerala Tourism, which must navigate the fine line between humor and sensitivity when dealing with issues involving national and international interests, such as military assets. In the case of the F-35B, the tourism department’s playful jab has prompted discussion not just about the jet’s status, but also about how public relations efforts should be managed in a digital age where viral content can quickly shape perceptions.

Kerala Tourism’s reaction to the grounded F-35B Lightning II fighter jet is a reminder of how social media can be used creatively for marketing purposes. The AI-generated image of the fighter jet surrounded by Kerala’s iconic coconut trees certainly captured the imagination of many, offering a mix of humor and local pride. However, the response has sparked mixed reactions, with some seeing it as a clever marketing move and others questioning its appropriateness.

The F-35B fighter jet’s extended stay in Kerala, caused by an engineering issue, remains a technical challenge for the British Royal Navy. However, the story behind its grounding has become a moment of international curiosity, with Kerala Tourism making the most of it with their viral social media post.

In the end, while the situation with the F-35B is a serious matter for the military, Kerala’s playful jab has offered a brief respite from the tension, showcasing the state’s ability to blend humor and tourism promotion even in the most unexpected of circumstances.

An Indian tourism board has ruthlessly mocked the Royal Navy over one of its F-35B stealth jets which has been stranded in the country for more than a fortnight.

The £88m warplane, dubbed one of the world’s most hi-tech, was forced to make an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport, in Kerala, on June 14.

The fighter jet had been on a mission with the Royal Navy’s new £3.5billion aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales when it encountered bad weather over the Indian Ocean.

Since landing at the airport, which sees almost five million passengers passing through it every year, the stealth aircraft has been stuck due to an engineering issue.

And on Wednesday, Kerala’s tourist board appeared to poke fun at the clapped-out fighter jet by posting a tongue-in-cheek cartoon image of the F-35 on a runway surrounded by palm trees.

The picture, thought to have been created with generative AI, even featured a fake review of the southern Indian state, written by ‘UK F-35B’ that read: ‘Kerala is such an amazing place, I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend.’

Kerala Tourism – which has 1.9million followers on X, formerly Twitter – captioned the image: ‘Kerala, the destination you’ll never want to leave.’

The post has since been seen by more than a million people, with many joining in to mock the stricken warplane.

The Kerala Tourism board tweeted a tongue-in-cheek post about the stranded F-35

The £88m warplane, dubbed one of the world’s most hi-tech, was forced to make an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport, in Kerala on June 14.

‘The British always have difficulty leaving India once they land here. They always need some strong persuasion to leave India,’ one said, in a nod to the UK’s colonial past as imperial rulers of India for almost 200 years.

‘That awkward moment when the UK F35 force finds itself the subject of a tourism poster…,’ one poster added, with another tweeting: ‘Top banter! Well played.’

A defence source said the post was ‘quite funny’ but added technical issues could arise unexpectedly. ‘These things are not uncommon,’ they said.

The hi-tech fighter jet was taking part in drills with the Indian Navy when it was forced to carry out an emergency landing.

The Indian Air Force said it was providing support to the Royal Navy plane ‘for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft’.

A Royal Navy source previously told MailOnline the plane was unable to return to the £3.5billion aircraft carrier due to adverse weather conditions.

However, while the jet was at the Indian airport, it developed an ‘engineering issue’ which has left it unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales.

‘Prioritising safety, the aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India, where it landed safely and without incident,’ they said.

The Indian Air Force said the British F-35B was forced to land at Thiruvananthapuram airport

The F-35 had been taking part in drills last month in the Indian Ocean when it was forced to make an emergency landing

It was one of the stealth jets embarked on the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (which is pictured arriving in Singapore on June 23)

The source said it was standard practice for aircraft to carry sufficient fuel reserves to accommodate such diversions when necessary.

MailOnline understands engineers from the aircraft carrier have assessed the stealth jet and decided a specialist team of technicians from the UK is needed to fix it.

Currently, the Ministry of Defence does not have a forecast for when the aircraft will be repaired. It potentially means it will no longer be available for the remainder of the Prince of Wales’s global deployment, which is expected to continue until December.

To minimise any disruption to the regular airport operations, the F-35 will be moved to a space at the site’s maintenance, repair and overhaul facility once specialist equipment and engineers from the UK arrive.

The multi-million pound stealth aircraft is currently parked in an isolated bay under armed guard.

However, questions have been raised over how secure the prized piece of military kit is after images emerged of just one Indian soldier armed with an assault rifle guarding it.

The jets are packed with an array of highly sensitive and secret technology, which the the likes of Russia and Iran would be eager to get their hands on.

Reports previously suggested the the Royal Navy had rejected Air India’s offer to place the aircraft in one of its hangars over concerns other people could access and steal the classified technology in the jet.

However, a defence insider insisted this was not the case, saying moving the F-35 into the hangar to essentially ‘stay in storage’ while waiting for UK engineers to arrive would have taken up vital space used by local crews to fix jets.

An MoD spokeswoman told MailOnline on Wednesday: ‘We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible.

‘We thank the Indian Authorities for their continued support.’

In February of this year, US President Donald Trump ‘unofficially’ offered the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft to India. The US offer was widely celebrated by Indians. However, four months after the historic offer, both Trump’s proposal and the F-35 fighter jet are gathering dust in India.

Why one of the most advanced fifth-generation fighter jets, with over 1,020 units produced and in use by 20 countries, is not generating enthusiasm in India is an issue worth exploring.

The issue is all the more perplexing since Pakistan, the arch-enemy of India, with whom New Delhi fought a brief four-day war in May, is getting 40 J-35 stealth fighter jets from China on an emergency basis.

Additionally, China, with whom India shares a 3,488-km long contentious border, has already fielded two fifth-generation fighter jets, the J-20 Mighty Dragon air superiority fighter and the J-35 multirole fighter jet. Notably, China has already fielded more than 200 J-20 fighter jets.

More worryingly, China has also deployed the J-20 fighter jets along the northern border of India after a bloody clash on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in June 2020.

By next year, both of India’s regional adversaries might field a fifth-generation fighter jet, widening the air capability gap with India. This, along with India’s declining squadron strength (31 against the sanctioned strength of 42), has rung alarm bells in New Delhi.

However, despite this desperate situation, the F-35 offer has received only a lukewarm response in India in general, and within the veteran Air Force community in particular.

While many factors have contributed to this situation, one significant cause could also be the unfortunate incident of the British F-35B fighter jet, which has been stranded on an Indian air base for nearly two weeks.

The Curious Case Of British F-35B Stranded In India

As India was debating the merits of the F-35 offer, an actual F-35B belonging to the British Royal Navy made an emergency landing in India and has been stuck there for nearly two weeks.

The aircraft made an emergency landing on 14 June after multiple failed attempts to return to its carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, due to adverse weather conditions and low fuel levels.

#F35 Still Stuck: India To Charge Britain Parking Fee For Leaving The Jet Stranded At Kerala Airport It has been nearly two weeks the British F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport. India is mulling charging U.K. parking fee for leaving the… pic.twitter.com/1JJwUSbyeW — Mint (@livemint) June 27, 2025

Despite efforts from Royal Navy technicians at the scene, the hydraulic issue that grounded the aircraft remains unresolved even after 10 days. Now, a 40-member expert team from the UK, along with personnel from the US, is expected to land in India to inspect and, if possible, repair the aircraft on-site.

Initially, it was expected that the aircraft would be repaired in 2-3 days. However, the issue remains unresolved even after 10 days. If even this technical team fails to repair the aircraft, then officials are considering a more intricate option: flying the stranded stealth fighter out using a transport aircraft.

The latest reports suggest that India might charge a parking fee to the British government for the prolonged, unscheduled parking of the aircraft on an Indian airstrip.

The F-35 is known for its high maintenance costs. However, this episode has given India a first-hand experience of the technical difficulties in maintaining the aircraft.

The incident, although unusual, will weigh heavily on the minds of Indian policymakers when they make a final decision.

F-35’s Global Woes

Incidentally, Trump offered the F-35 to India at a time when there is rising skepticism over the US’s reliability. A growing number of countries, including America’s traditional allies and NATO partners, are reevaluating their F-35 orders, citing high costs and geopolitical concerns.

Canada ordered 88 fifth-generation F-35A fighters from the US in 2023. The first tranche of 16 jets, which has already been paid for, is scheduled to arrive in the country early next year.

However, the Canadian government is now reconsidering the purchase of the remaining fighters amid an escalation in diplomatic tensions with the Trump administration.

The deal has not been scrapped, but the government has asserted that it needs to “make sure that the contract in its current form is in the best interests of Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces,” a defense ministry spokesperson said in March.

Canada has also signaled that other alternatives are currently under consideration. Prime Minister Mark Carney said, “We had a discussion about Canada’s options, and the fact is that under the [F-35] contract, as you may know, there are — after a certain number of purchases — we have options on subsequent aircraft.”

Furthermore, there is growing concern in Canada (and elsewhere) that, in the event of a disagreement or political fallout, the Trump administration could weaponize its control over the aircraft by blocking access to spare parts and software upgrades required to keep the aircraft flying and combat-ready.

Separately, a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) report published in November 2023 predicted severe price escalation in the F-35 deal, which could cost the Canadian taxpayer billions of dollars more than initially agreed upon.

The F-35 fighter jet program is one of the most expensive aircraft programs in aviation history. The F-35 program’s total cost is projected to exceed US$2 trillion over its lifetime, as reported by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in 2024.

Not just Canada, even other NATO partners like Portugal and Denmark are reevaluating their F-35 orders. Portugal had been planning to acquire F-35s to replace its aging F-16 fleet, but scrapped these plans in early 2025.

Denmark has ordered 27 F-35As, with deliveries ongoing. However, in March 2025, Rasmus Jarlov, Chair of the Parliamentary Defense Committee, expressed regret over the decision to procure F-35s, citing concerns about a potential U.S. “kill switch.” This was amplified by U.S.-Denmark tensions, including Trump’s remarks about acquiring Greenland.

Germany confirmed an order for 35 F-35As in March 2022 to replace its fleet of Tornado aircraft. However, the German government is also facing pressure from domestic public opinion to reconsider the deal.

Meanwhile, Switzerland and the US are disputing the final price of 36 new F-35A fighter jets purchased to replace the aging Swiss fleet.

Switzerland purchases the planes through the DSCA’s Foreign Military Sales program, which then settles the purchase with the manufacturer under its own contract. Bern said “a diplomatic solution must be sought” to the disagreement and has charged the Swiss defence ministry with coming up with a proposal to resolve the dispute, the statement said.

Lukewarm Response From Indian Veterans

Strangely, the F-35 has also failed to enthral the Indian Air Force veteran community. Writing for the EurAsian Times, Squadron Leader Vijainder K. Thakur (retd), an IAF veteran and a seasoned military expert, said Russia’s Su-57 might be more apt for Indian needs than the F-35.

“For the same capital outlay, India would be able to procure a significantly larger number of Su-57s than F-35s while also benefiting from lower operating costs.

“In terms of airspace defense, the Su-57 would be just as effective as the F-35 in countering adversary stealth fighters. Additionally, a larger fleet of Su-57s in the IAF’s inventory would provide greater stealth strike capability.

“However, if the IAF favors an ‘offense-is-the-best-defense’ strategy, is comfortable with an increased U.S. presence at its airbases, and is confident that future U.S. sanctions will not be a concern, then the F-35 would be the better choice,” he said, suggesting that the F-35’s high costs, and the American unreliability must be considered.

Similarly, Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor (Retd.), who served in key planning roles within the IAF, also favours the Su-57 over the F-35.

“The Su-57 has a lot of compatibility with our equipment, weapons, radars, and other systems. In many parameters, it is better than the F-35. Both these aircraft flew at Aero India. I spoke to certain people who saw both performing. There’s no doubt that the F-35 is state-of-the-art. But Su-57 ticks more boxes in many ways,” Kapoor told an Indian channel.

Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat (Retd.), a former IAF fighter pilot and defense analyst, thinks that India should stay away from both the F-35 and Su-57. Instead, Ahlawat said, India should focus on its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.

“Unfortunately, we have only two bad choices, the F-35 and the Su-57. The only good choice is the AMCA. The only way we can get past this problem is to give it a national mission-mode push and get it online as soon as we can,” he said.

With the British F-35 literally rusting in India for nearly two weeks, the Indian military and policymakers have gained firsthand experience of issues related to the Lockheed fighters.

Many other IAF experts have supported acquiring two squadrons of F-35 stealth fighters; however, for now, US-India relations are frosty due to Trump’s tariffs.

A US-made F-35 fighter jet has been stuck at an Indian airport since June 14 due to a technical fault and adverse weather. The incident has sparked humorous reactions on social media, with jokes about Indian mechanics and the unexpected static display of British aviation history.

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A first-of-its-kind incident for the F-35B

A US-made F-35 fighter jet , one of the world’s most advanced military aircraft, has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala since June 14. Despite the involvement of American, British and Lockheed Martin experts, the jet remains grounded, sparking a flood of jokes and memes across Indian social media.The F-35B made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14 after failing to return to its carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, due to poor weather and low fuel. The pilot issued a distress alert using SQUAWK 7700, and was directed to Bay 4—normally reserved for VIP aircraft—by the Indian Air Force’s command and control system. Although there was initial confusion about the nature of the landing, the IAF later confirmed that it was due to fuel exhaustion after several failed landing attempts at sea.According to reports, efforts to fix the aircraft have been hampered by weather conditions. Technicians are unable to open the aircraft panels in the open due to monsoon rains. Since it hasn’t been moved into a hangar, repair work has been delayed.As the jet continued to sit idle, netizens took over. Social media users from India started posting witty takes on the situation. Many joked that even the US and UK couldn’t manage what Indian mechanics could easily handle.One user posted, “Day 17 of UK F-35 in India, no one can compete with Indians,” while another quipped, “Aaj theek kar ke deta hu,” reflecting the Indian confidence in local jugaad.Even Kerala Tourism joined the trend, posting: “Kerala, the destination you’ll never want to leave,” hinting humorously at the jet’s extended stay.Several social media users created fictional dialogues between the F-35 pilot and the Indian air traffic control. One such post read:”Kerala Airport dikh rha haiF-35 pilot: haan dikh rha haiLand kar diyaATC: Nahi karna tha”Others joked that the F-35’s presence alongside older British military aircraft has created a full-spectrum static display, unintentionally showcasing the evolution of British carrier aviation — from first-gen to fifth-gen — all parked in one Indian city.So far, there’s no official update on when the aircraft will take off again. While authorities remain tight-lipped, the grounded F-35 has unintentionally given Kerala an unexpected spot in global military aviation discussions — and India’s meme-makers a fresh playground.With no timeline yet for repairs, authorities at Thiruvananthapuram airport have said that the United Kingdom is likely to be charged parking fees for the jet. The final amount will be decided by the Union government. While parking charges usually depend on an aircraft’s weight, officials noted that the F-35B’s military classification may lead to a different approach. A government official told TOI that the charges might be routed through central agencies, considering the aircraft’s foreign military status.A technical fault, reportedly involving the hydraulic system, has kept the F-35B on the ground despite initial efforts by Royal Navy engineers. Earlier last week, reports stated that a larger technical team of around 40 specialists from the UK, along with support from the US, is expected to arrive in India to assess and possibly fix the problem onsite. A spokesperson from the British High Commission said efforts were underway to restore the aircraft as quickly as possible and thanked Indian authorities for their cooperation.Although Air India offered hangar space to shelter the jet from Kerala’s monsoon rains, British officials declined the offer. Their concern reportedly stems from the need to protect the aircraft’s sensitive equipment and stealth technologies from potential scrutiny. Sources say there are renewed discussions about using the airport’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, but final clearance is pending.This marks the first time a UK F-35B has been stranded in a foreign country. Developed by the United States, the jet is part of Britain’s Carrier Strike Group and was deployed for maritime exercises with India. The F-35B’s advanced design allows vertical landing and short takeoffs, making it suitable for aircraft carrier use. Its prolonged presence at a civilian airport has drawn attention from aviation watchers and defence observers alike.