Thiruvananthapuram: In an unexpected mid-sea twist during operations over the Indian Ocean, a British F-35 Lightning II fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport late Saturday night (June 14).
The stealth aircraft, considered one of the most advanced in the world, had been flying as part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group.
British F-35 stealth fighter at Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala. | X/sahil_haq5776
The 5th-generation fighter, known for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability, was unable to return to its parent vessel, the HMS Prince of Wales, for reasons not yet officially confirmed. However, early assessments suggest poor weather around the British carrier and fuel shortage may have made a recovery landing too risky.
Although the aircraft is specifically built to operate from carriers without catapult systems, the diversion to land-based tarmac points to rare operational constraints. Aviation experts describe such incidents as “unusual but not unprecedented,” especially during long sorties over maritime zones where environmental conditions can shift rapidly.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence and Lockheed Martin, which leads the F-35 programme, have yet to issue official statements. The aircraft remains stationed at Thiruvananthapuram airport as of Sunday morning (June 15).
The emergency landing has momentarily grounded what is otherwise one of the most sophisticated pieces of combat machinery in service. The F-35B is part of a global multirole aircraft programme led by the United States and used by several NATO allies, including the UK and Israel.
Praised for its radar-evading stealth design, electronic warfare abilities, and real-time data-sharing systems, the F-35 plays a pivotal role in shaping 21st-century air combat doctrine. Its presence in the Indo-Pacific is part of broader joint exercises between allied navies, including recent drills with the Indian Navy.
