Latest news with #AirbusA400M
Mint
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
Kerala airport to charge THIS amount for parking stranded British F-35 stealth fighter
The British F-35 fighter jet, stranded in Kerala for the last 22 days, was finally shifted from its grounded position to the hangar on Sunday, July 6. This move was made after an aviation engineers' team from the UK arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram International airport to repair the Lightning jet of Britain's Royal Navy. It's time to know parking charge for UK's F-35 that occupied a bay designated for VIP aircraft. The aircraft was parked at Bay 4 under close monitoring of Central Industrial Security Force. Indian Defence Research Wing estimated the single day parking fee of F-35 to be ₹ 26,261 per day. Thus, as per this estimate, the parking fee of 22 days amounts to ₹ 5,77,742. Notably, the British authorities had declined an offer from Air India to move the fighter jet to hangar. The report further mentions that the airport authorities have not finalised the exact fee structure and it is possible that the Indian government may cover the costs. This incident is atypical as it is the first time this advanced fighter jet has been stranded abroad. During the prolonged stay, the fighter jet was guarded by a six-member team from the HMS Prince of Wales. The jet worth $110 million (£85-million) was towed from the tarmac to a hangar after several attempts to repair the aircraft proved to be unsuccessful. A part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the UK's Royal Navy, the fighter jet had taken off from a British aircraft carrier stationed approximately 100 nautical miles off Kerala's coast. The stealth combat jet made an emergency landing in Kerala on June 14 due to adverse weather and low fuel levels. On Sunday, a team of technical experts arrived at Thiruvananthapuram airport on board the British Royal Air Force Airbus A400M to assess the F-35 jet. Visuals shared by ANI show F-35 being towed to the hangar from its grounded position at the airport. 'The F-35 fighter aircraft has been taken to the Air India hangar at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, where a technical team of UK Royal Air Force would try to repair it and take it back,' ANI quoted Defence sources as saying on July 6.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
F-35 stranded in Kerala: UK technicians arrive to repair stranded fighter jet; grounded since June 14
A CISF personnel stand guard near the British F-35 fighter jet that made an emergency landing after running low on fuel at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (PTI image) NEW DELHI: A team of UK aviation engineers arrived in Kerala on Sunday aboard a Royal Air Force Airbus A400M to begin repair work on a British F-35B Lightning fighter jet that has remained stranded at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since June 14 following an emergency landing. According to PTI, the British High Commission said the aircraft, part of the UK Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, developed an 'engineering issue' that forced the unscheduled landing. The jet, worth over $110 million, is now set to be moved to the airport's Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility. 'The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft,' a British High Commission spokesperson said. Officials confirmed that the jet could not return to the carrier due to rough sea conditions. A preliminary assessment by engineers aboard HMS Prince of Wales concluded that repairs required specialised UK-based personnel and tools. The F-35B is the world's only fifth-generation stealth fighter capable of short take-off and vertical landing, designed for operations from smaller carriers and austere airfields. Security around the aircraft remains tight. An armed Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) detachment continues to guard the jet, parked at Bay 4 of the airport. Thiruvananthapuram airport officials have coordinated with local agencies to provide logistical support, including meals and accommodation for the visiting technical crew. Contrary to social media reports, the pilot was not stationed beside the aircraft post-landing but was relocated to the terminal's Emergency Medical Centre along with technicians for rest, according to sources. The Indian Air Force had earlier said it was providing all necessary assistance for the "rectification and subsequent return" of the jet. Thiruvananthapuram is a designated emergency diversion site for British military aircraft operating in the region. The British High Commission said the aircraft would resume service after all necessary repairs and safety checks. "Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram international airport for their continued support," the spokesperson added. The HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group had participated in joint exercises with the Indian Navy earlier this month. (Inputs from PTI)
DW
21-06-2025
- Politics
- DW
Israel says it launched strikes on Iran missile facilities – DW – 06/21/2025
Renewed strikes in Israel and Iran come after Tehran ruled out a return to nuclear talks until Israel halts its strikes, and Israel's army told Israelis to brace for a "prolonged campaign." According to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar's estimates, Israel's attacks on Iran have slowed down the Islamic Republic's development of a nuclear bomb by several years. "I believe, according to the assessments we hear, we have already delayed their ability to obtain a nuclear bomb by at least two or three years," Saar said in an interview with the German tabloid newspaper. "The fact that we have eliminated those individuals who led and advanced the weaponization of the nuclear program is extremely important in terms of the results," he said. "We have already achieved a lot. But we will do whatever we can. We will not stop until we have done everything possible to eliminate this threat," Saar said. The conflict between Israel and Iran erupted a week ago with Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. The Iranian state news agency Tasnim named the "martyred" scientists as "Abdolhamid Minouchehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, Amirhossein Feqhi, Motalleblizadeh, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi." Israel is convinced that Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon, an accusation that Iranian leadership has repeatedly rejected. Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is meant for civilian rather than military purposes. However, experts and the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN watchdog which inspects nuclear facilities, have questioned and criticized the Iranian claims. The German air force evacuated 64 citizens from Israel who arrived in Cologne on Friday. The Airbus A400M military aircraft touched down at Cologne/Bonn Airport. This is the first time the German air force has flown German citizens out of Israel since the conflict with Iran escalated about a week ago. The group of German citizens was flown out of Israel as part of a "diplomatic evacuation," the German government said. "The flights were carried out at short notice in close coordination with the Israeli authorities and were primarily intended for families with children and other vulnerable persons." In the past two days, Germany had begun evacuating its citizens on special flights, though not directly from Israel, but rather from Jordan. Around 2:30 a.m. in Israel (2330 GMT on Friday), the Israeli military warned of an incoming missile barrage from Iran, triggering air raid sirens across parts of central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel said its defense system intercepted the missiles over Tel Aviv. The Israeli air force also said Saturday it had launched a new wave of airstrikes against missile storage and launch sites in central Iran, on the ninth day of conflict between the two countries. Israel's armed forces chief, Eyal Zamir, warned that his country should be "ready for a prolonged campaign" against Iran, as the war entered its second week. Zamir's statement echoed earlier remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the fighting would continue "for as long as it takes." A meeting of the foreign ministers of three European countries with their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, came to an end Friday in Geneva, with the ministers from Germany and France voicing hope over future talks. Araghchi, meanwhile, said Iran would not return to talks about its nuclear program until Israeli "aggression ceases and the aggressor is held accountable for its committed crimes." US President Donald Trump said on Friday Iran has a "maximum" of two weeks to avoid possible US military strikes, one day after stating he would decide within a fortnight whether to take action. Welcome to DW's coverage of the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The nuclear talks in Geneva ended on Friday with no conclusion. The date for the next round of talks has not been decided. Meanwhile, Iran and Israel have resumed attacks against each other. In addition to the latest news, this blog will bring you photos, videos, analyses and on-the-ground reporting from DW correspondents.
New Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Armed Forces field hospital team returns from Myanmar humanitarian mission
SHAH ALAM: The Armed Forces field hospital team deployed to Myanmar under Op Starlight III has returned home after completing a 38-day humanitarian mission in the earthquake-hit Sagaing region. The 69-member team, comprising officers and personnel from various specialisations, including the Forward Anaesthesia and Surgical Team (Fast), Royal Engineers Regiment (Rajd), and security elements, landed at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Subang Air Base at 8.30pm today. The team was welcomed by Armed Forces Headquarters chief of staff, Lieutenant General Datuk Azhan Md Othman, during a homecoming ceremony. Also present were Armed Forces Health Services director-general, Lieutenant General Datuk Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh; RMAF air operations commander, Lieutenant General Datuk Masro Kaliwon; and Joint Forces Headquarters chief of dtaff, Major General Datuk Mohamed Fauzi Kamis. Their return marked the completion of a mission to establish and operate the Malaysian Field Hospital, which began full operations on April 21, providing Level 2 medical services to communities affected by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28. The quake struck Sagaing and five other regions at 12.50pm local time and was followed by a powerful 6.4-magnitude aftershock that was felt in neighbouring countries, including Thailand. The team was led by Colonel Dr Ahmad Farhan Ahmad Fuad, who commanded the operation from Sagaing, where the field hospital was constructed and operated with the support of the RMAF's Airbus A400M aircraft for logistical and medical deployment. Throughout the mission, the field hospital treated 3,562 patients and conducted 493 surgical procedures, delivering vital healthcare services to disaster-stricken communities. Azhan said the success of Op Starlight III reflected Malaysia's strong commitment to humanitarian efforts and regional solidarity. "This mission demonstrates our readiness and capability to respond to regional humanitarian crises. It also reflects the priority placed by the Armed Forces Chief on strengthening defence diplomacy and military cooperation," he said. He added that the Armed Forces' involvement in Myanmar provided tangible humanitarian support while showcasing Malaysia's capabilities in regional and international disaster response, in line with its commitment to upholding Asean unity and prosperity.
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Over 100 aircraft, 35 vessels set to take centre stage at Lima '25
KUALA LUMPUR: The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima '25) is set to deliver one of its most fascinating displays yet, with 102 aircraft scheduled for participation and 35 naval vessels confirmed so far. Lima '25 co-organiser Global Exhibitions and Conferences Sdn Bhd (GEC) told the New Straits Times that 64 aircraft would take part in aerial demonstrations, including aerobatic displays, solo performances and the event's hallmark opening gambit, a coordinated flypast that signals the official opening. "Highlights of the airshow include performances by renowned international aerobatic teams, including the Russian Knights from Russia, Jupiter from Indonesia and Surya Kiran from India," it added. The remaining 38 aircraft will be on static display. "These will include assets from key Malaysian agencies such as the Royal Malaysian Air Force, army, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Fire and Rescue Department's air wing and the police's air wing. "Foreign static aircraft will also be featured, with confirmed participants including the Royal Brunei Air Force's S-70i Black Hawk, the German Air Force's Airbus A400M, the Italian Air Force's P-72A and the Canadian Air Force's CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft," GEC said. It added that other highlights included Singapore Air Force's F-15SG, CH-47D Chinook and AH-64D Apache helicopters, and the Russian Aerospace Forces' Ilyushin IL-76. "It will also have a strong showing from the United States Air Force, with aircraft such as the F/A-18 Hornet, C-2 Greyhound, C-12 Huron, C-130J Hercules and MH-60 Seahawk. The Indian Navy will also participate with its Dornier 228 aircraft." On the maritime side, the fleet review will feature 35 ships — 15 from the Royal Malaysian Navy, five from MMEA and 15 from foreign navies. International representation in the fleet review includes notable warships such as ITS Antonio Marceglia from Italy, JS Yahagi from Japan, TCG Büyükada from Turkiye, RSS Steadfast from Singapore and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee from the US. Other foreign vessels include ships from Pakistan, Indonesia, India, Russia, Thailand and Bangladesh. Lima '25, scheduled for May 20-24, first organised in 1991, remains one of the largest exhibitions in the maritime and aerospace industry in Southeast Asia.
