Fresh F-35 fighter jet crash in California raises concerns about the world's most advanced plane, days after stranded UK jet leaves India
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British F-35B finally departs India after a month on the ground
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Global Operators of the F-35 Fighter Jet
Country F-35 Variant(s) Status Approx. Jets Ordered/Delivered United States F-35A, F-35B, F-35C In active service (Air Force, Navy, Marines) 800+ delivered United Kingdom F-35B In service (RAF, Royal Navy) ~48 delivered, 138 planned Italy F-35A, F-35B Air Force and Navy ~30+ delivered, 90 planned Netherlands F-35A Active service ~37 delivered, 52 planned Australia F-35A Active service 63 delivered, 72 total ordered Canada F-35A Order placed, deliveries starting 88 ordered Norway F-35A Fully operational 37 delivered Denmark F-35A Deliveries started 27 ordered Israel F-35I 'Adir' Operational, modified version ~50+ delivered, 75 planned Japan F-35A, F-35B In service ~42 delivered, 147 ordered South Korea F-35A Active service ~40 delivered, 60 ordered Belgium F-35A Orders confirmed 34 ordered Finland F-35A Orders signed 64 ordered Poland F-35A Production started 32 ordered Singapore F-35B Small order confirmed 12 ordered Switzerland F-35A Procurement approved 36 ordered Germany F-35A Order confirmed (nuclear sharing role) 35 ordered Czech Republic F-35A Deal signed in 2023 24 ordered Romania TBD Negotiations ongoing Not finalised
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A US Navy F-35 fighter jet crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in California on Wednesday evening, the latest in a series of incidents involving the multi-role stealth aircraft. The pilot ejected safely, and the cause of the crash is under investigation. This comes just days after a British F-35B fighter jet, stranded for over a month in India, was finally flown out after extensive repair efforts.According to a Navy press statement, the F-35 crashed at approximately 6:30 pm near NAS Lemoore in central California. The aircraft was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron VF-125, known as the 'Rough Raiders,' which is responsible for training F-35 pilots. The pilot safely ejected and survived the incident.An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. No injuries were reported on the ground, and no property damage was confirmed.Earlier this month, a British Royal Navy F-35B made headlines after it remained grounded at Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala for over four weeks. The aircraft had made an unscheduled landing on June 14 due to poor weather and low fuel while returning from joint exercises.Following the landing, engineers discovered a fault that made the fifth-generation fighter unserviceable. The incident triggered concerns about sensitive technology being present in a non-partner country, as India is not part of the F-35 program.After multiple repair attempts and logistical coordination, the aircraft departed India and rejoined the HMS Prince of Wales strike group via Darwin, Australia. India's airport operator charged about Rs 26,261 per day for parking the jet. Over roughly 35 days, the total estimated parking bill reached Rs 9.2 lakh.The F-35 program, led by Lockheed Martin, is recently facing scrutiny for its high costs and technical challenges. The recent incidents in the US and India are not isolated cases.In early 2025, an F-35A crashed in Alaska. In previous years, F-35s have crashed in South Carolina, Japan, and during aircraft carrier operations.This comes as India continues to explore options for acquiring fifth-generation fighter jets to upgrade its air combat capabilities. While advancing its own indigenous AMCA program, India has also shown interest in global platforms, with the F-35 among the aircraft under consideration. Though no official procurement request has been made, the F-35's presence in joint exercises and increasing US-India defence cooperation have kept the possibility open. Strategic, financial, and technological factors are still being evaluated before any firm decision is taken.With over 900 F-35s delivered across various allied air forces, operational challenges are being closely monitored. Countries like the UK, Japan, Italy, Israel and Australia remain committed to the platform.The back-to-back incidents, involving both American and British jets, have renewed debate about the F-35's readiness for complex operational theatres. While militaries maintain confidence in the platform's long-term potential, the current focus remains on ensuring reliability and safety during active missions and training.A US Navy F-35 fighter jet crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in California on Wednesday evening. The pilot safely ejected, and the cause of the crash is under investigation.The jet was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron VF-125, also known as the 'Rough Raiders.' This unit is responsible for training pilots to operate the F-35.No. The pilot ejected safely, and no injuries or property damage were reported on the ground.A Royal Navy F-35B was grounded at Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala after an emergency landing in June 2025. The jet remained in India for over a month due to technical issues before being repaired and flown out in late July.India is not part of the F-35 program, raising concerns about sensitive US and NATO technology being temporarily present in a non-partner country. This prompted security discussions and logistical coordination for repairs.Yes. Apart from the California and India cases, there was an F-35A crash in Alaska in early 2025 and earlier incidents involving crashes in Japan and during US Navy carrier operations.The F-35 program has faced criticism for its high cost, frequent technical issues, software bugs, and maintenance challenges. Despite its advanced features, the aircraft's operational readiness has been questioned.Countries currently flying F-35s include the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, Australia, Israel, South Korea, and several NATO members.Depending on the variant and configuration, each F-35 can cost between $80 million and $100 million, excluding long-term maintenance and upgrades.While investigations are ongoing, these incidents may lead to increased scrutiny, stricter safety checks, and temporary training reviews. However, most partner countries continue to support the program due to the aircraft's strategic importance.
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