Latest news with #F35B
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
UK's F-35B plane lands in India, sparking talk of link to Israel-Iran conflict
The emergency landing of a British F-35B stealth fighter in southern India has turned public attention to the deepening defence cooperation between London and New Delhi, with the incident interpreted as a symbol of their growing strategic alignment. Valued at over US$100 million, the hi-tech aircraft was diverted to the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala last Saturday following a suspected hydraulic system failure during a routine flight over international waters. The F-35B earlier took off from the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, according to several Indian media reports. The Indian air force coordinated with local air traffic controllers to facilitate an unscheduled landing for the aircraft. Technicians were airlifted by the Royal Navy to carry out repairs on the F-35B, the reports added. Although Thiruvananthapuram has been designated as a diversion airfield for British naval aircraft operating in the region before the incident, the sight of one of the world's most advanced warplanes landing unexpectedly on Indian soil has sparked public speculation. The timing of the incident against the background of worsening tensions in the Middle East has prompted questions of whether it signalled broader defence ties between the UK and India or otherwise. The incident should be seen as a reflection of deepening security cooperation between both countries, rather than a response to the Middle East conflicts, according to analysts.
Russia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Russia Today
British F-35 jet grounded in southern India
A British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet has been grounded at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport in southern India since making an emergency landing on Saturday. British aviation engineers are working on the aircraft, which remains on the tarmac on account of a 'technical snag,' according to local media reports. The jet, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, was engaged in operations in the Indo-Pacific region after conducting joint exercises with the Indian Navy. The F-35B is a fighter jet designed by Lockheed Martin that can take off and land vertically, making it suitable for use on aircraft carriers. On Saturday night, the aircraft made an emergency diversion to Thiruvananthapuram due to low fuel levels, a report by NDTV said. It made an emergency landing after encountering bad weather, which prevented it from returning to its carrier. The Indian Air Force (IAF) assisted it by using its radar network and coordinating with air traffic control to ensure a safe landing, the Times of India said. WATCH | Kerala: An F-35 fighter jet of the UK Navy made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport due to low fuel. The aircraft is still there. (Visuals from Thiruvananthapuram Airport) On Monday, a Royal Navy helicopter arrived at the airport to take the pilot back to the ship, suggesting the F-35's return to service may be delayed. The IAF has said the jet's emergency landing was a 'normal occurrence,' adding that it is providing logistical support to assist with the situation. Six technicians who had arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday and Monday, returned to the HMS Prince of Wales by helicopter on Tuesday afternoon, the Times of India added. The IAF does not have the F-35 in its arsenal but US President Donald Trump said in February that his country would offer to sell the jets to India. However, local media reports have suggested that the South Asian nation was leaning towards buying the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-57. The television channel CNN-News18 cited Indian government sources as saying that the country was weighing an offer from Moscow for Su-57s, while no proposal about the F-35 was being considered.
Time of India
2 days ago
- 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.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Royal Navy F-35B fighter plane makes emergency landing in India after bad weather prevented it from landing on HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier
A Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet had to make an emergency landing in India during routine flying from the UK's flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. The Indian Air Force said on Sunday that the jet was flying outside of the Indian Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) when it was forced to divert and land. The jet was cleared to land at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport late on June 14 after declaring 'a diversion off an emergency', the air force said in a statement. The Indian Air Force said on Sunday afternoon it was providing support to the Royal Navy plane 'for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft'. A Royal Navy source told MailOnline that the plane was unable to return to the £3.5billion aircraft carrier due to adverse weather conditions. 'Prioritising safety, the aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India, where it landed safely and without incident,' they said. 'It is standard practice for aircraft to carry sufficient fuel reserves to accommodate such diversions when necessary.' HMS Prince of Wales and the UK Carrier Strike Group reached the Indian Ocean last week as part of Operation Highmast, Britain's largest naval deployment in years. It will join with the Indian military for port stops and operations before continuing with its eight-month deployment onto south-east Asia, Japan and Australia. The deployment has already seen the CSG operate in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. The goal is to reaffirm the UK's commitment to the security of the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific region, demonstrate collective resolve with our allies and showcase British trade and industry, the Royal Navy said in April. Upwards of 4,500 British military personnel will be involved in the operation, including nearly 600 RAF and 900 soldiers alongside 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines. HMS Prince of Wales was accompanied through the Mediterranean at the end of April by the £1.6billion nuclear submarine HMS Astute, the Type 45 Destroyer HMS Dauntless, and submarine-hunting frigate, HMS Richmond en route to the Red Sea. Also part of the task group are British tankers RFA Tideforce and RFA Tidespring, which carry critical supplies to replenish the fleet at sea. Operation Highmast marks the second deployment of the UK's CSG. The first, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021, took place against the backdrop of a world in lockdown due to the Covid pandemic. The 2025 mission, commanded by Commodore James Blackmore and his staff from aboard HMS Prince of Wales, occurs with a changed world order and even more volatile geo-political situation. Separately, British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer told reporters travelling with him on his plane to Canada for G7 talks on Saturday that Britain was 'moving assets to the region, including jets... for contingency support' amid the burgeoning conflict between Israel and Iran. The jets are Eurofighter Typhoon planes, according to Britain's defence ministry. Additional refuelling aircraft have also been deployed from UK bases, according to Downing Street. Royal Air Force fighter planes are already in the region as part of Operation Shader, the codename given to Britain's contribution to the international campaign against the Islamic State group. RAF Typhoon jets aided Israel in April 2024 when they shot down an unspecified number of drones fired by Iran, as confirmed by the UK's then-prime minister, Rishi Sunak. Senior officers are now said to be considering whether RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, and the surrounding airspace require additional protection, particularly if the conflict continues to escalate. In that scenario, military sources told the Mail on Sunday
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- General
- Business Standard
Very normal to see diversion by F-35B: IAF on British jet emergency landing
A day after a British F-35B fighter jet of the Royal Navy made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday said it is "fully aware" of it and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. The jet was operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, and it was undertaking "routine flying" outside Indian ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone), according to the IAF. In a late night post on X, the IAF also shared a photo of the fighter jet, and said it is "providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft". Earlier in the day, sources said the British aircraft made the emergency landing at the Kerala airport after running low on fuel. The jet landed safely at around 9.30 pm on Saturday, they said. The IAF on Sunday said it is "fully aware" of it. "A normal occurrence of diversion by F-35B. The IAF is fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance being given, and the IAF is in coordination with all agencies," an IAF spokesperson said in a brief statement. The aircraft is currently parked at the airport. The IAF in its post on X also said, "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. 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," it added.
