A British F-35 stealth fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at Kagoshima Airport in south-western Japan on Sunday due to a technical malfunction, officials confirmed. The incident temporarily disrupted airport operations, with the runway closed for about 20 minutes.
According to reports, the emergency landing occurred at approximately 11:30 AM, affecting several commercial flight arrivals and departures. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained in the incident.
The British forces are currently engaged in a joint military exercise alongside Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force and US forces, which began on August 4 and will continue until next Tuesday. The exercise forms part of an ongoing deployment of a British aircraft carrier strike group to the western Pacific region.
This emergency landing follows a similar incident last month when a British F-35B fighter jet made an unscheduled touchdown in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. The aircraft, operating from the UK Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales, was forced down due to a hydraulic system fault during a routine sortie on June 14.
Also read: 'Very grateful for India's help': UK after F-35B leaves for home
The Indian Air Force played a crucial role in providing support during the repair and recovery process, including refuelling the jet. The aircraft remained grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for over a month before resuming flight on July 22.
A spokesperson for the British High Commission expressed gratitude towards the Indian authorities, stating, “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.”
The F-35B jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, are among the most advanced stealth fighters in the world, valued particularly for their short take-off and vertical landing capabilities.
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