Defence officials confirm UK Navy’s F-35 suffers hydraulic failure, possible airlift planned

Thiruvananthapuram: The British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet that made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport has suffered a hydraulic failure, defence officials said on Friday.

Officials added that a larger maintenance team is expected to arrive to recover the aircraft. If necessary, the jet may be transported back aboard a military transport plane.

The officials said, "A few days ago, the F-35 fighter jet of the UK Navy had made an emergency landing due to low fuel, after which the Indian Air Force had provided all required support, including refuelling. However, when the aircraft was going back, it developed a hydraulic failure and could not go back."

"A maintenance team of the UK Navy had come and tried to rectify the problem, but could not. A bigger maintenance team is expected to come to recover the aircraft. If required, the aircraft may even be taken back in a military transport aircraft," they added.

Earlier, the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed that a British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14.

The aircraft was operating from the UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, and it was undertaking routine flying outside the Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield.

In a post on X, the IAF had said, "A Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 25. Operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield."

"On having declared a diversion off an emergency, the F-35 B was detected and identified by the IAF's IACCS network and cleared for the recovery. IAF is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft," the IAF added. (ANI)