A British F-35 stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing on Sunday at Kagoshima airport in southwestern Japan due to a technical malfunction, airport officials told Kyodo News. The runway was closed for about 20 minutes after the incident around 11:30 AM, causing delays for some commercial flights.
Thankfully, there were no injuries reported from the emergency landing.
Ongoing Joint Military Exercises
Kyodo News also reported that British forces are currently taking part in joint drills with Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force and American military personnel. These exercises began on August 4 and will continue until next Tuesday. The UK sent an aircraft carrier strike group to the western Pacific as part of these operations.
Previous Emergency Landing in India
This is not the first recent emergency involving a British F-35. In July, a British F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, India, after experiencing a hydraulic system fault. The aircraft was on a routine mission but could not land back on its carrier, HMS Prince of Wales.
Indian Support During Repairs
The jet landed safely at Thiruvananthapuram airport, which had been designated as an emergency recovery airfield. The Indian Air Force provided crucial assistance, including refueling and other support during the repair process.
Jet Returns to Flight After Repairs
After being grounded for over a month at the Indian airport, the British F-35B took off again on July 22, once repairs were complete.
A spokesperson for the British High Commission expressed gratitude toward Indian authorities, saying, “The UK remains very grateful for the support and collaboration of the Indian authorities and airport teams throughout the repair and recovery process.” The spokesperson added, “We look forward to continuing to strengthen our defence partnership with India.”
About the F-35B Fighter Jets
The F-35B jets are highly advanced stealth aircraft built by Lockheed Martin. They are especially valued for their ability to take off from short runways and perform vertical landings.