A British F-35 stealth fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Saturday night after it ran critically low on fuel, according to a report by PTI citing informed sources.
The aircraft, believed to have taken off from the UK’s aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, touched down safely at around 9:30 p.m. Airport officials immediately declared an emergency to facilitate a safe landing.
British F-35 Emergency Landing: “Everything Was Handled Professionally”
A source quoted by PTI said the pilot issued a low fuel alert and requested emergency landing clearance.
“The pilot reported low fuel and asked for permission to land. Everything was handled quickly and professionally,” the source stated.
The situation was managed without incident, with airport staff coordinating the emergency protocols swiftly to ensure the jet’s safe arrival.
British F-35 Emergency Landing: Part of HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group
The F-35 jet is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, which is currently stationed in the Indo-Pacific region. The group had recently wrapped up joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy, enhancing interoperability between the two forces.
While the reason the fighter could not return to the carrier remains unconfirmed, initial indications suggest adverse weather conditions around the vessel may have made landing unsafe.
A British F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport in southern India.
The jet is part of the UK’s Prince of Wales aircraft carrier group, which is currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific and recently conducted joint drills with the Indian Navy. pic.twitter.com/Ax6CuLSVGL
— Aadil Brar (@aadilbrar) June 15, 2025
Experts Call the British F-35 Emergency Rare, But Not Unusual
Defence analysts say such incidents, while uncommon, are not without precedent. The F-35B variant of the jet — the one involved in the incident — is specially built for short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL). This design allows it to operate from aircraft carriers without needing traditional catapult systems.
Still, its diversion to a civilian airport highlights the unpredictable nature of carrier-based operations, especially under challenging weather conditions.
F-35 Program: A Cornerstone of Modern Air Power
The F-35 program, led by US defence giant Lockheed Martin, is regarded as one of the most sophisticated multirole fighter projects in the world. The aircraft boasts cutting-edge stealth capabilities, integrated electronic warfare systems, and seamless data-sharing technology, making it central to the air strategies of the US, UK, Israel, and NATO.
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