The British fighter jet was engaged in joint army drills alongside Japan’s Maritime Self‑Defence Power and the US, an train that started on August 4 and is ready to run by means of on August 12.
A British F‑35B stealth fighter jet was pressured to make an emergency touchdown in Kagoshima Airport in south‑western Japan on Sunday (August 10), briefly disrupting business flight operations. The incident occurred at round 11:30 am when the jet skilled a technical malfunction throughout flight. The runway was closed for roughly 20 minutes because the fighter landed safely, affecting each arrivals and departures.
Airport authorities confirmed that no accidents had been reported and that standard operations resumed shortly after.
Malfunction forces emergency descent and a part of ongoing UK–Japan–US army drills
The British fighter was collaborating in joint army workout routines with Japan’s Maritime Self‑Defence Power and US forces, which started on August 4 and can proceed till subsequent Tuesday. The UK has deployed an plane service strike group to the western Pacific as a part of these drills.
2nd emergency touchdown in current months
That is the second reported emergency touchdown involving a British F‑35B in current months. Earlier, in June 2025, an analogous jet made an emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram, India, after a hydraulic system fault prevented it from returning to the UK Navy’s plane service HMS Prince of Wales.
The plane remained grounded in India for over a month, lastly taking off on July 22 after intensive repairs, with important help from the Indian Air Power and native airport authorities.
British Navy grateful for worldwide assist
Following the India incident, a British Excessive Fee Spokesperson had expressed deep gratitude to Indian authorities, highlighting the “assist and collaboration” in repairing and recovering the plane, and reaffirming the UK’s intent to strengthen defence partnerships.
In regards to the F‑35B stealth jet
Constructed by Lockheed Martin, the F‑35B is likely one of the most superior fighter jets on the planet, boasting stealth capabilities, reducing‑edge avionics, and the distinctive means for brief take‑offs and vertical landings. It’s a key asset in maritime and expeditionary operations for the UK Navy.