An F-35B Lightning II fighter jet belonging to the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy made an emergency landing at India’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 2025 due to severe weather conditions and a technical malfunction during a flight over the Indian Ocean. After three weeks of preparation, the aircraft has now entered the repair phase.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that the aircraft was unable to return to the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales following the malfunction and that the emergency landing was carried out safely with the support of Indian authorities.
25-Member British Expert Team on Site
A 25-member technical team arrived in India aboard a Royal Air Force (RAF) Airbus A400M Atlas military cargo aircraft to conduct the repair process. In a statement, the MoD said, “Maintenance and repair operations for the UK’s F-35B fighter jet are continuing at Air India’s MRO facility with the full support of the Indian authorities.”
Landing Site Was Pre-Designated, Clearance Granted Swiftly
The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed that Thiruvananthapuram Airport had previously been designated as an emergency landing site. The statement read: “The F-35B diverted and made an emergency landing while flying outside India’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Our units identified the aircraft and granted all necessary permissions immediately.”
The IAF also added, “We are providing all necessary logistical and technical support to the British experts throughout the repair process.”
Initial Repair Attempt Unsuccessful
Defence sources reported that although the aircraft was refueled after the initial intervention, a hydraulic system malfunction occurred during this process. As a result, a specialized technical team and equipment were dispatched from the UK to the site. The F-35B was moved to Air India’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hangar.
UK: “We Are Grateful for India’s Support”
In a statement, the British High Commission said, “We are extremely grateful for the support provided by the Indian authorities to ensure that our F-35B fighter jet can return to duty as soon as possible.”
