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New Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
UK's stranded F-35 fighter to be repaired in India
NEW DELHI: The F-35B Lightning II fighter of the British Royal Navy, stranded in Thiruvananthapuram, will be repaired at its present location, for which a team will be flown in from the UK, the British High Commission (BHC) said. "We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as thank the Indian authorities for their continued support," a spokesperson for the BHC said. The Royal Navy F-35B fighter was recovered following an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of June 14, 2025. The aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales as it was caught in adverse weather conditions. Prioritising safety, the aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India, where it landed safely, the BHC said. The Indian Air Force had extended assistance in the recovery of the aircraft. Operating from the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, the fighter was undertaking routine flying outside the Indian ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone), with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield. "On having declared a diversion of an emergency, the F-35B was detected and identified by the IAF's IACCS network and cleared for the recovery," the IAF spokesperson had said.
The Print
21-06-2025
- General
- The Print
Week since emergency landing, UK's F-35B fighter still grounded in Kerala; military airlift likely
The jet had been operating from UK Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and was flying outside India's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) when it was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram, which had been designated as its emergency recovery airfield. A larger technical team from the UK is expected to arrive in Kerala to carry out repairs and the jet may be flown back aboard a military transport aircraft if necessary. New Delhi: The British Royal Navy's F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, a week after it made an emergency landing last Saturday following a suspected hydraulic failure. According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the fighter declared an emergency and was detected and identified by the IAF's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which cleared it for recovery. 'A Royal Navy F-35B fighter was recovered following an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of June 14. The IAF is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft,' the IAF posted on X. Defence officials told news agency ANI that the aircraft initially landed due to low fuel and was refuelled by the IAF. However, a hydraulic failure occurred during its attempted return to the carrier. A maintenance team of the UK Navy had come and tried to rectify the problem, but could not. A bigger maintenance team is expected to come to recover the aircraft. If required, the aircraft may even be taken back in a military transport aircraft, according to the report. The F-35B Lightning II, developed by US defence giant Lockheed Martin, is widely regarded as one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world. A fifth-gen stealth multirole jet, the F-35B is the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the F-35 family, built for operations from aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. Powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, the F-35B integrates stealth coatings, sensor fusion and electronic warfare capabilities, enabling it to detect, track and engage targets across air, land and sea. Multiple reports indicate that the fighter may have suffered fuel starvation on final approach, possibly damaging critical components of the jet's engine, which enables vertical landing. Since then, the aircraft has remained parked in the open at Bay No. 4, under guard of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and is subject to Kerala's intense monsoon conditions. India had reportedly offered to relocate the aircraft to a hangar or temporary shed, but the offer was not taken up by the Royal Navy. The move is believed to stem from concerns over the F-35B's sensitive technologies, including its stealth coating and advanced sensor fusion systems. No official statement has been issued on the matter. Keeping the aircraft in the open also permits the UK to maintain continuous satellite oversight of the fighter. Last Sunday, a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter delivered a replacement pilot and technical team for the jet. Additional technicians were flown in but returned to the carrier Tuesday, leaving a smaller crew to continue troubleshooting on site. The British team is stationed at the airport's emergency medical centre to maintain visual oversight of the jet, in line with British requests. The HMS Prince of Wales and its strike group are deployed in the Indo-Pacific and just concluded joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy. (Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui) Also Read: Stage set for Russian 5th-gen fighter Su-57 demo at Aero India 2025, F-35 to be on static display
Time of India
18-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
The world's most advanced fighter jet, the F-35B, is still stuck at Kerala airport, and a CISF jawan is guarding it
A British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighter jet continues to remain grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for the fourth straight day after it made an emergency landing on Saturday night. The stealth jet, worth over $100 million, had to divert due to a suspected hydraulic system failure while flying over international waters. Jet took off from UK carrier off Kerala coast The F-35B had taken off from HMS Prince of Wales , the United Kingdom's flagship aircraft carrier, located nearly 100 nautical miles off the Kerala coast. According to officials, Royal Navy technicians were flown in by helicopter the same night. However, the repairs have faced delays and the aircraft could not take off as planned on Tuesday morning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Heavy weather forced emergency diversion The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on June 14. The aircraft, unable to return to the carrier due to rough sea conditions and bad weather, was redirected to Thiruvananthapuram. The Indian Air Force, through its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), coordinated with civil air traffic controllers to ensure a safe landing. The airport is designated as a diversion base for British naval aircraft in the region. IAF Detected and Identified F35B Live Events 'A Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 25. Operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield," the IAF said in a post on X. — IAF_MCC (@IAF_MCC) 'On having declared a diversion off an emergency, the F35B was detected and identified by the IAF's IACCS network and cleared for the recovery. IAF is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft," IAF added. Pilot monitored jet overnight After landing, the pilot remained near the aircraft at the apron control zone to keep visual contact until Royal Navy crew arrived. Officials clarified that the pilot was not seated next to the aircraft, countering social media reports. Both the pilot and arriving crew were later moved to the Emergency Medical Centre at the airport for rest. Crew working on repairs, some return to carrier Currently, three Royal Navy personnel — the pilot and two technicians — are in Kerala continuing repair work. Six additional technicians, who had reached the site between Sunday and Monday, returned to the Prince of Wales by helicopter on Tuesday afternoon. CISF secures jet, special arrangements made The F-35B remains stationed in Bay 4 of the airport under heavy security. An armed CISF unit has been deployed to guard the jet. A local ground-handling agency has also been assisting, as per Royal Navy's request. Airport authorities have arranged accommodation and meals, including Western food options, for the foreign personnel. F-35B part of world's costliest defence program The F-35 fighter jet program, led by U.S. defence firm Lockheed Martin, is expected to cost more than $2 trillion over its operational life — the most expensive weapons project in history. The F-35B variant, used for short take-offs and vertical landings (STOVL), is a key platform for naval and expeditionary missions. Designed for versatility and global missions Equipped with stealth technology, advanced avionics, and sensor fusion for full 360-degree awareness, the F-35B is designed to operate from aircraft carriers, airbases, and makeshift runways. It plays a vital role in modern combat strategy among NATO and partner nations, reshaping the airpower landscape for the coming decades.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Time of India
IAF says it identified and detected UK's F35B fighter jet: Has India cracked the 'stealth code'?
A F-35 fighter jet of the UK Navy made an emergency landing due to low fuel at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, and the Indian Air Force is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft, in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The Indian Air Force successfully detected a Royal Navy F-35B fighter after it made an emergency landing near Thiruvananthapuram. The IAF's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) identified and cleared the stealth aircraft, showcasing India's ability to track sophisticated, low-observable aircraft. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads F-35B: A multirole, low-observable aircraft Project Kusha: India's move toward self-reliance Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully identified and detected a Royal Navy F-35B — a multirole 'stealth' aircraft — after it made an emergency diversion near Thiruvananthapuram last incident has raised a key question: has India cracked the code to track aircraft designed to evade radar and operate undetected in hostile airspace?'A Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 25. Operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield," the IAF said in a post on means the F-35B was not supposed to land in Thiruvananthapuram; it was a diversion due to an unspecified the IAF's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) successfully identified and cleared the aircraft for recovery — a key demonstration of its ability to track a sophisticated, low-observable aircraft under unusual conditions.'On having declared a diversion off an emergency, the F35B was detected and identified by the IAF's IACCS network and cleared for the recovery. IAF is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft," IAF reveals two key points. First, the IACCS — a network of sensors, radars, and control centers — was able to track and identify the F-35B despite its stealth capabilities. Second, the IAF responded promptly and efficiently, offering all necessary support for the aircraft's recovery and eventual return to its F-35B is designed to perform a range of missions — from air-to-surface and electronic attack to air-to-air operations — while avoiding radar and remaining hard to carries advanced sensors and mission systems that allow it to operate in hostile airspace, share data securely, and employ its own weapons in a high-threat environment. The UK Royal Air Force first put it into service in 2018, and the Royal Navy followed in a short take-off and vertical landing aircraft, the F-35B can operate from aircraft carriers and forward bases in austere multirole fighter is also able to gather and distribute battlefield information through its sophisticated sensor suite, strengthening the capabilities of the platforms and forces that operate alongside Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) are currently developing Project Kusha, a homegrown long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed to match the capabilities of advanced platforms like the is alongside the QRSAM, the QRS Air Defence Control System 'Akashteer', and the operational S-400s already deployed by the Kusha aims to integrate numerous sensors and control systems to form a multilayered air defence network — strengthening India's ability to respond to aerial threats promptly and effectively.
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
U.K.'s F-35B fighter remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram airport
A Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet from the U.K. that made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Friday night following a technical snag remained grounded at the airport on Monday. The reason for emergency landing was initially attributed to low fuel as the fighter could not land on the U.K. aircraft carrier deployed at the sea after its routine sortie due to bad weather conditions prevailing in the Arabian Sea. However, according to sources, the jet had developed technical glitch. The aircraft has been parked at an isolated bay near the domestic terminal since Friday night. The pilot of the jet, who is being replaced by the Royal Navy as his duty time ends, was reportedly reluctant to stay away from the aircraft. The airport authorities then arranged a facility for him at the airside of the airport from where he could watch the aircraft throughout the day. A four-member crew deployed by the Royal Navy has been attending to the fifth-generation stealth fighter, which is known for short take-off and vertical landing capabilities. In a post on X on Sunday night, the Indian Air Force said 'the Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June'. Operating from the U.K. aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside the Indian ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone), with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield. On having declared a diversion off an emergency, the F-35B was detected and identified by the IAF's IACCS (Integrated Air Command and Control System) network and cleared for the recovery. IAF is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft, said the post.
