India Air-Force Indian Air Force

Nilgiri

Experienced member
Staff member
Administrator
Aviation Specialist
Messages
10,344
Reactions
129 20,977
Nation of residence
Canada
Nation of origin
India


The UK-led Carrier Strike Group had recently conducted join exercises with the Indian Navy and Thiruvananthapuram airport was earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield for aircraft flying from the carrier. Once the pilot of the jet declared an emergency, the F35B was detected and identified by the Indian Airforce’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) network and cleared for the recovery.


Local media suggested that bad weather around HMS Prince of Wales was the reason the jet had to divert. Monsoon season has come early and the Indian Ocean, particularly in the northern and equatorial regions is notorious for sudden squalls — brief, intense weather events involving strong winds, heavy rain, and sometimes thunderstorms. Predicting the weather in this area is especially challenging for the embarked meteorological teams.
The F-35 is a an especially sensitive aircraft and even though India is a friendly nation, landing one at a civilian airport with limited security measures is a last resort although obviously preferable to ditching and the loss of a very precious jet. The Indian Air Force says it is providing “all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft”.
 

Follow us on social media

Top Bottom