British fighter jet makes emergency landing at Kerala airport after running low on fuel

A British fighter jet made an emergency landing in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram Saturday night (June 14) after running low on fuel, reported news agency PTI.

The F-35 fighter jet, which earlier took off from an aircraft carrier, landed safely at the airport at around 9:30 pm IST.

Airport authorities declared an emergency to ensure a smooth and safe landing, PTI quoted a source as saying.

“The pilot reported low fuel and asked for permission to land. Everything was handled quickly and professionally,” the source said.

The aircraft is currently parked at the airport. Refuelling will take place once approval is received from the relevant authorities in the Central government, sources said.

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This comes amidst escalating tensions between Iran and Israel in West Asia.

On Saturday, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain was moving additional military assets, including fighter jets, to the West Asia to provide support across the region.

“We are moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support in the region,” Starmer said. Crews began deployment preparations on Friday morning, when it was clear the situation in the region was deteriorating, a spokesperson for the prime minister said.

Notably, the UK already operates some jets in the area as part of an operation to counter threats in Iraq and Syria.

However, the UK PM has so far ruled out joining the war against Iran.

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“I will always make the right decisions for the UK.”

Tensions in West Asia escalated after Israel conducted a pre-emptive strike on Iran, targeting its nuclear and military facilities.

In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other areas. The Israeli attack resulted in 78 deaths, including top military leaders such as Revolutionary Guards chief Major General Hossein Salami, armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Supreme Leader’s adviser Ali Shamkhani, and Revolutionary Guards’ air force commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

The strikes also destroyed Iran’s above-ground pilot enrichment facility at the Natanz nuclear site and killed several nuclear scientists. Meanwhile, Iran’s missile retaliation has led to the deaths of three Israelis.