Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 15 (UNI) The Indian Air Force (IAF) is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the F-35B British Royal Navy Fighter Aircraft.

"The Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 2025," the IAF said on 'X.'

"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 Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) network and cleared for the recovery.

The IAF is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft, it added.

There were reports that the emergency landing was said to be for refueling purpose. Later, the fighter flight was parked at the bay awaiting permission from the Central Government for refueling.

The F-35B Lightning is a stealth aircraft operating alongside the Typhoon. A multi-role machine, Lightning is capable of conducting air-to-surface, electronic warfare, intelligence gathering and air-to-air missions simultaneously.

Lightning has advanced sensors, mission systems and low- observable technology, otherwise known as stealth that allows it to operate undetected in hostile environments. Lightning is a short take-off and vertical landing aircraft that can operate from aircraft carriers and in austere environments.

UNI DS GNK