Why a British F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing in Kerala’s Trivandrum airport

An F-35 fighter jet from the United Kingdom (UK) Navy made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala on Saturday night. The stealth jet, thought to have launched from a British aircraft carrier active in the area, landed safely at approximately 9:30 PM, as reported by airport sources.

According to airport sources, cited by PTI, the aircraft had to make an emergency landing after reporting 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 officials promptly announced a crisis to enable a safe and efficient landing for the advanced fifth-generation fighter jet.

Refueling will occur once permission is granted from the appropriate authorities in the Central government, as necessary for any foreign military aircraft operating in Indian airspace, sources indicated.

In the meantime, Air Force officials have described the emergency landing as a standard diversion, noting they were completely informed of the scenario, furnished all needed support, and are collaborating with relevant agencies. The F-35 Lightning II, created by the US’s Lockheed Martin and utilized by major NATO partners like the United Kingdom, is among the most sophisticated fighter aircraft in operation worldwide.

The United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (UK CSG25) and the Indian Navy carried out a collaborative naval exercise, referred to as a Passage Exercise (PASSEX), in the western Arabian Sea earlier this week. UK CSG25 participated in a drill with the Indian Navy in the western Arabian Sea, according to a statement from the UK Carrier Strike Group.

The two-day drill featured multiple naval actions including synchronized anti-submarine efforts, tactical maneuvers, joint helicopter management, and professional interactions among naval personnel.