Indian Air Force says 'fully aware' of British fighter jet landing in Kerala

After a British fighter jet F-35B Lightning II made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said it was "fully aware" of the incident and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons.

 

The short take-off and vertical landing multi-role stealth fighter developed by Lockheed Martin, operating from UK Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales, was undertaking "routine flying" outside Indian ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone), according to the IAF.

 

In an X post, the IAF also shared a photo of the fighter jet, and said it is "providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft".

 

Sources had earlier said the British fighter jet made the emergency landing at the Kerala airport around 9.30 pm on Saturday after running low on fuel.

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The fighter jet had sought permission from the airport authorities before landing.

 

The IAF on Sunday said it is "fully aware" of the landing. "A normal occurrence of diversion by F-35B. The IAF is fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance being given, and the IAF is in coordination with all agencies," an IAF spokesperson said in a brief statement.

 

The IAF in its post on X also 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 F35B was detected and identified by the IAF's IACCS network and cleared for the recovery," it added.

Defence