Beijing: Chinese state-run media outlet Global Times has mocked the British Royal Air Force following the second emergency landing of an F-35 fighter jet in Asia within two months. The latest incident occurred in Japan on Sunday, when a British F-35 was forced to land due to a technical malfunction during a joint military drill with Japan and the United States.

The aircraft reportedly landed safely at Kagoshima Airport around 11:30 am local time. The pilot was unharmed, and photos from the scene showed the jet visibly intact.

This marks the second such emergency landing involving a British F-35 in recent months. In June, another F-35 was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India, after suffering a hydraulic failure. That aircraft remained grounded for nearly a month until engineers from the UK arrived to repair it.

ALSO READ: ‘Nokku kooli’ to ‘Vellanakalude Nadu’: Stranded British F-35 fighter jet in Kerala becomes meme gold

What is Chinese media saying?

Following the latest incident, Global Times criticised the UK Navy’s ability to manage advanced fighter jets like the F-35 during long-range overseas deployments. It questioned whether British forces are struggling to cope with the aircraft’s technical complexity and demanding maintenance needs while operating far from home bases.

ALSO READ: Thiruvananthapuram airport hits the jackpot: F-35 fighter jet to bring in lakhs in parking fees

"UK's navy are no longer what they once were," said Wang Ya’nan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge, as quoted by Global Times. He also suggested that the UK should reconsider its policy of accommodating US interests.

However, defence experts have reportedly pointed out that the Japan landing was a standard precautionary measure and did not cause major disruption.