UK Navy’s F-35 fighter suffers hydraulic failure, likely to be airlifted back: Report

The aircraft was 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

In a latest setback for the British Royal Navy's F-35B fighter jet, which had made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport, the aircraft has now developed a hydraulic failure. According to defence officials, it may need to be transported back using a military cargo aircraft, news agency ANI reported. According to the officials, a bigger maintenance team is expected to come to recover the aircraft and if required, the aircraft may even be taken back in a military transport aircraft.

The officials said to ANI, "A few days ago, the F-35 fighter jet of the UK Navy had made an emergency landing due to low fuel, after which the Indian Air Force had provided all required support, including refuelling. However, when the aircraft was going back, it developed a hydraulic failure and could not go back."

"A maintenance team of the UK Navy had come and tried to rectify the problem, but could not. A bigger maintenance team is expected to come to recover the aircraft. If required, the aircraft may even be taken back in a military transport aircraft," they added.

The aircraft was 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.

#UPDATE | A few days ago, the F-35 fighter jet of the UK Navy had made an emergency landing due to low fuel, after which the Indian Air Force had provided all required support, including refuelling. However, when the aircraft was going back, it developed a hydraulic failure and… https://t.co/nfwvoerz29

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— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2025

Though the emergency landing was safely executed and previously reported, the root issue -- believed to be a fault in the aircraft's hydraulic system -- has not yet been resolved, leaving the fifth-generation combat jet stationed at the airport. A local ground handling agency was also arranged at the Royal Navy's request.

In a post on X, the IAF had 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."