An emergency landing was made by a United Kingdom (UK) Navy F-35 fighter jet to Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Saturday night. The stealth axios is to be Taken off from a British aircraft carrier operating in the area and made a safe landing at approximately 21:30 hours.
#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) pic.twitter.com/2M0EsBJcOX---Advertisement---— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2025
As reported by airport sources, reported to PTI, the aircraft made an emergency landing after reporting to have low fuel mid-flight. “The pilot reported low fuel and asked for permission to land. Everything was handled quickly and professionally,” the source said.
Airport authorities swiftly declared an emergency in order to enable a smooth and sworn landing of the sophisticated fifth-generation combat aircraft. Refuelling can occur once authorization is granted by the appropriate authorities in the Central government, as with any foreign military aircraft in Indian airspace, sources said.
IAF On British F-35 fighter Jet Emergency Landing
In the meantime, the Air Force officials have said that the emergency landing was simply a standard diversion and that it was fully aware of the circumstance, provided all necessary assistance, and is working with the necessary agencies.
“This is a normal occurrence of diversion by an F-35. The IAF was fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance is being provided, and the IAF is coordinating with all relevant agencies,” the IAF said in their statement.
The F-35 Lightning II, created by Lockheed Martin, based in the United States, and used by many of NATO Allies, including the UK, is one of the most sophisticated fourth generation fighter jets in use in the world.
India-UK Defence Relationships
Earlier this week, the Indian Navy and the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (UK CSG25), conducted a joint naval exercise in the western Arabian Sea, in a classic naval drill known as a Passage Exercise (PASSEX).
“UK CSG25 joined the Indian Navy for an exercise in the western Arabian Sea” stated a post from UK Carrier Strike Group.
The naval exercise, which lasted two days, involved conducting a variety of naval activity including coordinated anti-submarine operations, tactical manoeuvres, and communication between naval aviators and flight deck officers in performance of standard helicopter control.
