Latest news with #BritishRoyalNavy
The Sun
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Taiwan detects 50 Chinese military aircraft around island
TAIPEI: Taiwan detected 50 Chinese military aircraft around the island, the defence ministry said Friday, days after a British naval vessel transitted through the sensitive Taiwan Strait. China insists democratic, self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. Beijing has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects. Taiwan also accuses China of using espionage, cyberattacks and disinformation to weaken its defences. Along with the 50 aircraft, six Chinese naval vessels were also detected in the 24 hours to 6:00 am (2200 GMT Thursday), the defence ministry said. The latest incursion came after British Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Spey sailed through the Taiwan Strait on June 18, Taiwan's foreign ministry said Thursday. The United States and other countries view the 180-kilometre (112-mile) Taiwan Strait as international waters that should be open to all vessels. The last time a British Navy ship transited the Taiwan Strait was in 2021, when the HMS Richmond, a frigate deployed with Britain's aircraft carrier strike group, sailed through from Japan to Vietnam. China strongly condemned Britain at the time and deployed its military to follow the vessel. In March, Taiwan detected 59 Chinese aircraft around the island, the highest tally since a record in October and days after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called China a 'foreign hostile force'.
Reuters
11 hours ago
- General
- Reuters
UK Royal Navy vessel sails through Taiwan Strait
LONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - A British Royal Navy vessel sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, a Navy spokesperson said, saying the passage was in full compliance with international law. "HMS Spey's routine navigation through the Taiwan Strait was part of a long-planned deployment and took place in full compliance with international law," the spokesperson said in a statement. The last time a British warship sailed through the strait was in 2021, when HMS Richmond was deployed in the East China Sea en route to Vietnam. Chinese military followed it at the time and warned it away.
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Taiwan says UK Navy ship sailed through Taiwan Strait
Taiwan said on June 19 that a British Navy patrol vessel sailed through the Taiwan Strait. PHOTO: AFP TAIPEI - Taiwan said on June 19 that a British Navy patrol vessel sailed through the Taiwan Strait, a move that challenges China's claim to the sensitive waterway. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and claims jurisdiction over the body of water that separates the self-ruled island from the Chinese mainland. The United States and other countries view the 180-km Taiwan Strait as international waters that should be open to all vessels. 'The British Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Spey sailed through the Taiwan Strait on June 18,' Taiwan's foreign ministry said in a statement. 'The UK has once again taken concrete action to uphold freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait and demonstrate the firm position that the Taiwan Strait is international waters.' The last time a British Navy ship transited the Taiwan Strait was in 2021, when the HMS Richmond, a frigate deployed with Britain's aircraft carrier strike group, sailed through from Japan to Vietnam. China strongly condemned Britain at the time and deployed its military to follow the vessel. A Canadian warship passed through the strait in February 2025 , days after a US destroyer and a US ocean survey ship made the passage. Taiwan's military has been reporting near-daily sightings of Chinese warships around its waters, as well as sorties by drones and fighter jets around the island. Taiwan's defence ministry said on June 19 it had detected 25 Chinese military aircraft and s even navy vessels in the 24 hours to 6am . AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
India.com
2 days ago
- General
- India.com
World's most expensive fighter jet is still grounded in India due to…, cost is…; belongs to this country's Navy
World's most expensive fighter jet is still grounded in India due to…, cost is…; belongs to this country's Navy An F-35B fighter jet of the British Royal Navy, part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, was forced to make an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala. By Gazi Abbas Shahid Advertisement The British Navy's F-35B is being guarded by CISF at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala. (Source: X) F-35B fighter jet: A US-made F-3B stealth fighter jet of the British Royal Navy– one of the world's most expensive warplanes– made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala on Saturday, and remains grounded there for more than 72 hours. According to reports, the fighter jet, which is part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, was forced to make an emergency landing at the airport due to low fuel. British F-35B fighter jet grounded at Kerala airport The Indian Air Force (IAF) is handling the matter, but a formal update on the F-35B fighter is awaited, according to Indian Defence PRO and Thiruvananthapuram airport officials. 'The IAF is fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance is being given, and the IAF is in coordination with all agencies,' said an IAF spokesperson. Advertisement === As per officials, the fighter jet as launched from HMS Prince of Wales (R09)– the British Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier– about 100 nautical miles from the Indian coast in the Indo-Pacific region, where the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group is currently operating, after conducting a series of joint exercises with the Indian Navy. Why F-35B was forced to land at Thiruvananthapuram Airport? After launch, the British fighter aircraft was unable to land due to inclement weather conditions in the region, and subsequently, the pilot contacted Air Traffic Control on an international distress frequency, seeking an emergency landing. The ATC diverted the aircraft to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport at 9:30 pm on Saturday, where it remains grounded, officials said. Advertisement === Day after its emergency landing, the pilots of the British warplane were flown back to the HMS Prince of Wales aboard a AW101 Merlin helicopter, indicating that the fighter jet may take a while to be ready for operational use. The IAF has termed the incident a 'normal occurrence of diversion by F-35.' The F-35B currently remains parked in the General Aviation terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport under the watch of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, and requires IAF clearance before flying back, as per officials. How much does the F-35B cost? Developed by US arms maker Lockheed Martin, the F-35B is a custom variant of the F-35 operated by the British Royal Navy, and reportedly cost up to $109 million per unit. The 5th-generation stealth fighter features an advanced stealth made of radar-absorbing materials, internal weapons bays, and precisely aligned surfaces, making it extremely difficult for air defense systems and radars to detect. The F-35B, which measures 51.2 feet in length and 14.3 feet in height, with a 35-foot wingspan, is capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 1.6, even when carrying a full internal payload of 6800 kg. It can weigh up to 60,000 pounds at takeoff.
NDTV
2 days ago
- General
- NDTV
Pics: 72 Hours On, World's Most Expensive Fighter Jet Remains Grounded In Kerala
72 hours on, a British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The jet was forced to make an emergency landing after it suffered a "technical snag", reports said. The short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) jet was part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, which recently completed a joint exercise with the Indian Navy and is currently in the Indo-Pacific. The aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday morning after encountering low fuel levels. The Indian Air Force (IAF) had earlier confirmed it was assisting with the diversion. The Navy described the incident as a "normal occurrence," and said it was extending logistical support. The F-35B is part of the most expensive and technologically sophisticated fighter jet programme in history. Designed by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 programme spans multiple international partners and service branches. The B variant, which the Royal Navy operates, is capable of short take-off and vertical landings. The F-35 family, which includes the A, B, and C variants, has seen deployment across multiple theatres in recent months. What distinguishes it from older generations of fighters is its radar-evading capabilities and sensor fusion technology.
