Pics: 72 Hours On, World's Most Expensive Fighter Jet Remains Grounded In Kerala
72 hours on, a British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The jet was forced to make an emergency landing after it suffered a "technical snag", reports said.
The short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) jet was part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, which recently completed a joint exercise with the Indian Navy and is currently in the Indo-Pacific.
The aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday morning after encountering low fuel levels.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) had earlier confirmed it was assisting with the diversion.
The Navy described the incident as a "normal occurrence," and said it was extending logistical support.
The F-35B is part of the most expensive and technologically sophisticated fighter jet programme in history.
Designed by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 programme spans multiple international partners and service branches.
The B variant, which the Royal Navy operates, is capable of short take-off and vertical landings.
The F-35 family, which includes the A, B, and C variants, has seen deployment across multiple theatres in recent months. What distinguishes it from older generations of fighters is its radar-evading capabilities and sensor fusion technology.
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NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
Timeline: World's Most Expensive Fighter Jet Is Still Grounded In Kerala
New Delhi: The British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, which made an unscheduled landing in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Saturday night, remains grounded for the fourth straight day on Wednesday. The jet, one of the most advanced of its kind in the world, has become an unusual and high-profile presence at the airport, drawing attention from aviation enthusiasts and onlookers. The F-35B is also the most expensive fighter jet in the world in terms of the overall programme cost. The aircraft is part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific region. The carrier group recently completed joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy. Since its arrival, British aviation engineers have been working intensively to fix a technical snag related to the aircraft's hydraulic systems. Despite their efforts, the issue remains unresolved, delaying the fighter jet's return to its mother ship. The aircraft remains parked at Bay 4 of the airport under a strict security cordon. Here is the sequence of events of the F-35B grounding, along with details of what ails the aircraft. June 14, 8.50 pm British F-35B stealth fighter jet takes off from HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. June 14, 9.20 pm The F-35B pilot contacts Thiruvananthapuram airport, declares low fuel and requests for landing clearance. June 14, 9.30 pm The F-35B lands in Thiruvananthapuram airport. June 14, 10.30 pm The pilot 'Mike' is escorted from the jet for security procedures. June 14, 11.15 pm A Royal Navy helicopter lands with a two-man repair crew and remains overnight. June 15, 11.20 am Six Royal Navy technicians arrive; the aircraft grounding is extended due to mechanical issues. June 15, 9.54 pm The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirms emergency landing of the F-35B, says it is providing necessary support. June 16 The F-35B is reported to be grounded due to hydraulic failure. June 16 The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security cover of the grounded F-35B is extended. June 18 The F-35B enters the fourth day of being grounded at the airport in Kerala.
India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
World's most expensive fighter jet is still grounded in India due to…, cost is…; belongs to this country's Navy
World's most expensive fighter jet is still grounded in India due to…, cost is…; belongs to this country's Navy An F-35B fighter jet of the British Royal Navy, part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, was forced to make an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala. By Gazi Abbas Shahid Advertisement The British Navy's F-35B is being guarded by CISF at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala. (Source: X) F-35B fighter jet: A US-made F-3B stealth fighter jet of the British Royal Navy– one of the world's most expensive warplanes– made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala on Saturday, and remains grounded there for more than 72 hours. According to reports, the fighter jet, which is part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, was forced to make an emergency landing at the airport due to low fuel. British F-35B fighter jet grounded at Kerala airport The Indian Air Force (IAF) is handling the matter, but a formal update on the F-35B fighter is awaited, according to Indian Defence PRO and Thiruvananthapuram airport officials. 'The IAF is fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance is being given, and the IAF is in coordination with all agencies,' said an IAF spokesperson. Advertisement === As per officials, the fighter jet as launched from HMS Prince of Wales (R09)– the British Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier– about 100 nautical miles from the Indian coast in the Indo-Pacific region, where the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group is currently operating, after conducting a series of joint exercises with the Indian Navy. Why F-35B was forced to land at Thiruvananthapuram Airport? After launch, the British fighter aircraft was unable to land due to inclement weather conditions in the region, and subsequently, the pilot contacted Air Traffic Control on an international distress frequency, seeking an emergency landing. The ATC diverted the aircraft to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport at 9:30 pm on Saturday, where it remains grounded, officials said. Advertisement === Day after its emergency landing, the pilots of the British warplane were flown back to the HMS Prince of Wales aboard a AW101 Merlin helicopter, indicating that the fighter jet may take a while to be ready for operational use. The IAF has termed the incident a 'normal occurrence of diversion by F-35.' The F-35B currently remains parked in the General Aviation terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport under the watch of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, and requires IAF clearance before flying back, as per officials. How much does the F-35B cost? Developed by US arms maker Lockheed Martin, the F-35B is a custom variant of the F-35 operated by the British Royal Navy, and reportedly cost up to $109 million per unit. The 5th-generation stealth fighter features an advanced stealth made of radar-absorbing materials, internal weapons bays, and precisely aligned surfaces, making it extremely difficult for air defense systems and radars to detect. The F-35B, which measures 51.2 feet in length and 14.3 feet in height, with a 35-foot wingspan, is capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 1.6, even when carrying a full internal payload of 6800 kg. It can weigh up to 60,000 pounds at takeoff.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
Pics: 72 Hours On, World's Most Expensive Fighter Jet Remains Grounded In Kerala
72 hours on, a British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The jet was forced to make an emergency landing after it suffered a "technical snag", reports said. The short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) jet was part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, which recently completed a joint exercise with the Indian Navy and is currently in the Indo-Pacific. The aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday morning after encountering low fuel levels. The Indian Air Force (IAF) had earlier confirmed it was assisting with the diversion. The Navy described the incident as a "normal occurrence," and said it was extending logistical support. The F-35B is part of the most expensive and technologically sophisticated fighter jet programme in history. Designed by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 programme spans multiple international partners and service branches. The B variant, which the Royal Navy operates, is capable of short take-off and vertical landings. The F-35 family, which includes the A, B, and C variants, has seen deployment across multiple theatres in recent months. What distinguishes it from older generations of fighters is its radar-evading capabilities and sensor fusion technology.
