The F-35 stealth fighter jet program, hailed as a technological marvel of 21st-century air power, is once again under intense scrutiny following a crash involving a US Navy F-35 in California, just days after a British F-35B finally departed India after being stranded for over a month. These back-to-back incidents add to a growing list of operational challenges facing one of the world’s most advanced yet controversial fighter aircraft programs.
On Wednesday evening, an F-35C Lightning II assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron VF-125, known as the “Rough Raiders,” went down near Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore in central California during a routine training mission.
The pilot ejected safely, and no injuries or damage were reported on the ground. The cause remains under investigation, but the incident has once again raised concerns about the aircraft’s operational reliability and maintenance complexity.
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This latest crash follows a high-profile issue involving a British Royal Navy F-35B, which was grounded at Thiruvananthapuram airport in India after making an emergency landing on June 14 due to adverse weather and low fuel.
Once on the ground, the aircraft was deemed unserviceable due to a technical fault and remained parked for over 35 days, reigniting debates about the F-35’s vulnerability and high operational costs.
Though engineers from the UK and supporting staff worked around the clock, the repairs took weeks to complete. The fighter finally rejoined its parent HMS Prince of Wales strike group via a route through Darwin, Australia.
In the meantime, India’s airport operator levied parking fees totaling nearly ₹9.2 lakh, approximately Rs 26,261 per day, reflecting the logistical and financial challenges tied to deploying such high-tech platforms in non-partner regions.
These two incidents are not isolated. Earlier in 2025, an F-35A crashed in Alaska, and previous years have seen similar mishaps in South Carolina, Japan, and during aircraft carrier operations. Critics argue that while the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 program brings advanced stealth, networking, and multi-role capabilities to the table, it also suffers from technical setbacks and cost overruns that weaken confidence among global operators.
Despite this, the aircraft continues to be adopted worldwide. The United States has taken delivery of over 800 units across its Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.
The United Kingdom, Japan, Israel, and Australia are all active operators, while India, though not part of the program, has shown cautious interest amid growing U.S.-India defense ties and its search for a fifth-generation fighter jet to supplement its indigenous AMCA program.
The dual events, the crash in California and the British jet’s departure from India, may not deter long-term buyers, but they certainly renew questions about the balance between the F-35’s cutting-edge promise and its persistent reliability concerns.
