Royal Navy Stealth Jet Makes Emergency Landing in India – Now Soars Again
A British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighter jet forced to make an emergency landing in India last month has taken off again, heading to Australia after expert repairs.
F-35B Grounded in India After Engineering Fault
The cutting-edge fifth-generation stealth jet touched down safely at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on June 14, but soon developed an engineering fault during its stopover.
Part of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group operating from the HMS Prince of Wales in the Indo-Pacific, the jet diverted due to hazardous weather conditions that made returning to the aircraft carrier impossible.
Specialist UK Engineers Fly In for Repairs
Initial inspections by HMS Prince of Wales engineers couldn’t fix the fault. A specialist UK engineering team was flown in and arrived on July 6, conducting thorough diagnostics and safety checks.
“After completing comprehensive diagnostics and safety inspections, the team cleared the aircraft for departure,” said a British High Commission spokesperson.
UK-India Defence Teamwork Shines
The incident showcased strong defence ties between the UK and India. Indian aviation authorities offered full support to protect and maintain the sophisticated fighter during its unplanned stop.
Now repaired and ready, the F-35B is back in action, en route to Australia to join joint exercises with regional allies alongside the UK Carrier Strike Group.
