F-35 fighter jet operates from HMS Prince of Wales (Photo: Royal Navy)
Thiruvananthapuram: A Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft executed an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Saturday evening after encountering fuel shortage while operating from HMS Prince of Wales, positioned approximately 100 nautical miles (around 182 kilometres) off the Kerala coast.
The advanced fighter jet, part of the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group 21 deployment, was unable to return to its mother ship due to deteriorating sea conditions that rendered carrier operations unsafe. Airport authorities confirmed that the aircraft requested immediate landing clearance citing critically low fuel levels.
“Standard operating procedures are being meticulously followed at the airport,” stated a senior aviation official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The incident occurred just days after the Royal Navy’s flagship carrier participated in joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea.
The emergency landing comes against the backdrop of strengthening India-Britain naval ties, as seen in the recent passage exercise conducted on June 9 and 10. HMS Prince of Wales, accompanied by frigate HMS Richmond, engaged in comprehensive drills with the Indian Navy’s INS Tabar and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.
The two-day exercise encompassed anti-submarine warfare operations, tactical manoeuvres, cross-deck helicopter control procedures, and officer exchange programmes between the two navies.
According to the Indian Navy, the joint operation “underscores the deepening cooperation between the two navies and showcases shared commitment to maritime security and robust bilateral ties.”
This deployment marks a significant milestone as the first occasion the 65,000-tonne HMS Prince of Wales has operated in the Indian Ocean region.
The carrier’s complement includes embarked F-35B Lightning II aircraft, Merlin helicopters, and approximately 4,500 personnel from across the multinational task force.
The carrier strike group comprises destroyer HMS Dauntless and frigates from the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, and Spain, alongside comprehensive air and logistical support elements.
The F-35B Lightning II, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is described by its manufacturers as providing pilots with unparalleled tactical advantages and mission survivability.
The current deployment of HMS Prince of Wales in the Indo-Pacific underscores Britain’s commitment to maintaining a strategic presence in these crucial maritime lanes, while simultaneously strengthening defence partnerships with regional allies, particularly India.
The emergency landing, while operationally significant, demonstrates the robust protocols in place for such contingencies and the cooperative spirit between the two nations’ armed forces, an official said.
