UK's F-35B Fighter Still Grounded in India After Emergency Landing, IAF Assisting
A Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram airport more than 48 hours after it made an emergency landing on Sunday.
The aircraft, part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific, was forced to divert after reportedly running low on fuel. Military experts have termed the incident unusual but not without precedent.
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| Image Source: CISF on X |
The Indian Air Force, which is providing assistance, described the diversion as a “normal occurrence.” However, the fighter remains grounded as efforts continue to address suspected mechanical issues.
Media reports suggest that poor weather conditions may have prevented the aircraft from safely recovering onto the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier.
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CISF swiftly secured the Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet after its emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram Airport.
Accredited for excellence in aviation security, CISF continues to uphold a prompt, proactive approach to emergency — protecting… pic.twitter.com/nAReZXBipN
The F-35B, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is part of the F-35 Lightning II family — a fifth-generation, single-engine, multirole stealth fighter known for its radar-evading capabilities and advanced sensor fusion technology.
The B variant, specifically designed for short take-offs and vertical landings, allows it to operate from carriers without catapult systems. The F-35 is also currently being used by Israel in its ongoing strikes against Iran as tensions in the Middle East escalate.
Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump offered to supply India with the F-35 during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy toward expanding sales of the advanced jet to additional foreign partners.