Another UK F-35 Fighter Jet Makes Emergency Landing in Japan — 2nd Incident Weeks After India Snag
A British F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing in Japan, marking the second incident in weeks after a similar snag in India, raising concerns over the aircraft’s reliability
A British F-35B stealth fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at Kagoshima Airport in southwestern Japan on Sunday due to a technical malfunction, according to airport officials cited by Kyodo News.
The incident occurred around 11.30 am, prompting a temporary runway closure that disrupted several commercial flight departures and arrivals for approximately 20 minutes. No injuries were reported.
The jet is part of a British aircraft carrier strike group currently engaged in a joint military exercise with Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force and US forces. The drill began on August 4 and is scheduled to continue until next Tuesday.
This is the second known emergency landing involving a British F-35B in recent months.
Another fighter jet from the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier made an emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala on June 14, due to a hydraulic system failure.
The aircraft, which was conducting a routine sortie at the time, was unable to return to the carrier and diverted to Thiruvananthapuram Airport, a designated emergency recovery site. The Indian Air Force provided full support, including refuelling and ground assistance.
The jet remained grounded at the airport for five weeks before finally departing on July 22. The British High Commission later thanked Indian authorities for their cooperation during the repair and recovery process.
“We remain very grateful for the support and collaboration of the Indian authorities and airport teams throughout,” a British High Commission spokesperson said, adding that the UK looks forward to strengthening its defence partnership with India.
The recent event has drawn attention from state-run media outlets in China and Russia. Russia’s Sputnik India account on X posted, “British F-35 makes emergency landing… Again. Just weeks after one F-35 was stranded in India, another was forced into an emergency landing at Japan’s Kagoshima Airport. Collecting emergency landings like souvenirs”.
China’s state-run Global Times took a sharper stance, arguing that the malfunctions highlighted the F-35B’s “overly complex systems and demanding maintenance requirements.” Citing Chinese aviation expert Wang Ya’nan, the outlet claimed that UK personnel may be struggling to manage these challenges during extended deployments far from home.
The F-35B, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a state-of-the-art stealth fighter known for its short take-off and vertical landing capabilities.
Another incident involving the UK’s advanced F-35 fighter jet has raised fresh concerns over the aircraft’s operational reliability after one of the jets was forced to make an emergency landing in Japan. This marks the second such episode in just a matter of weeks, coming soon after a similar snag involving a British F-35 during operations in India.
According to defence sources, the latest incident occurred while the British F-35 was engaged in joint drills with allied forces in Japan. Midway through the exercise, the aircraft reported a technical fault that required an immediate diversion from the planned flight path. The pilot successfully executed an emergency landing at a Japanese airbase, ensuring both the safety of the aircraft and avoiding any harm to personnel or civilians.
While officials have yet to disclose the exact nature of the malfunction, preliminary reports suggest it may be related to onboard systems that had shown warning signs during earlier checks. Engineers and technicians from both the UK and Japan are now conducting a full inspection to determine the root cause.
This incident follows closely on the heels of the F-35 snag in India last month, where another UK-operated aircraft was grounded due to technical issues during bilateral military cooperation activities. In both cases, the events have reignited discussions about the dependability of the F-35 program, which has faced multiple criticisms globally despite being one of the most advanced stealth fighter projects ever undertaken.
The F-35 Lightning II, developed by Lockheed Martin in partnership with several allied nations, is renowned for its stealth capabilities, advanced sensors, and networked warfare systems. However, the program has also been plagued by budget overruns, delays, and recurring technical issues since its inception. The UK is one of the primary operators of the jet, having integrated it into both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy for deployment from land bases and aircraft carriers.
Defence analysts note that while occasional technical hitches are expected in cutting-edge military aircraft, the back-to-back nature of these incidents could indicate deeper systemic challenges. Some experts have speculated that the recent snags might be linked to specific maintenance cycles or component wear that has not yet been addressed comprehensively.
Public reaction to the news has been mixed. Supporters of the program emphasize that the F-35 remains a vital strategic asset for allied nations and that such incidents are part of the operational learning curve. Critics, however, argue that the jet’s high price tag — with each aircraft costing over $100 million — demands a higher standard of reliability, especially during active deployments in sensitive regions.
The UK Ministry of Defence has stated that it is working closely with Japanese counterparts and Lockheed Martin to ensure a swift resolution. In the meantime, the affected aircraft will remain grounded until all safety checks are completed and the technical fault is fully addressed.
With geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific on the rise, the readiness and reliability of frontline military assets like the F-35 are under intense scrutiny. This second emergency landing in less than a month has not only raised operational questions but also amplified the debate about whether the F-35 program can deliver on its promise without compromising safety or mission success.
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