On the night of June 14, 2025, a British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet
made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Kerala,
after running critically low on fuel while operating from the UK aircraft
carrier HMS Prince of Wales in the Indian Ocean.
The emergency was triggered by adverse weather conditions that prevented the
jet from safely returning to its carrier, prompting the pilot to request
diversion to the pre-designated emergency airfield in India.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) played a pivotal role in this incident.
Its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), a sophisticated
network of radars, sensors, and command centres, successfully detected,
tracked, and identified the F-35B as it approached Indian
airspace.
The IAF then cleared the aircraft for recovery, coordinated with local
authorities, and provided all necessary support for the jet’s safe landing,
technical inspection, and eventual return to UK operations.
The detection of the F-35B—a fifth-generation, stealth-capable aircraft
designed to evade most radar systems—sparked significant discussion within
India’s defence community. The F-35B’s low-observable design and minimal radar
cross-section (RCS) are intended to make it extremely difficult to detect
using conventional radar technology. The IAF’s public statement that it had
“detected and identified” the jet in real time led to speculation about
whether India had achieved a technological breakthrough in tracking stealth
aircraft.
However, several factors temper this interpretation. During peacetime
operations, especially in foreign or neutral airspace, F-35s typically fly
with Luneburg lenses installed—detachable radar reflectors that deliberately
increase the aircraft’s radar visibility.
This practice ensures that friendly and civilian radar systems can track the
jet easily, reducing the risk of misidentification or airspace incidents. It
is standard procedure for such flights, particularly during ferry, training,
or emergency operations. Multiple sources indicate that the F-35B was likely
broadcasting its presence and using such reflectors, making detection by the
IAF’s air defence network routine rather than extraordinary.
The IAF’s IACCS is nonetheless a state-of-the-art, nationwide air surveillance
and command system, integrating ground-based radars, airborne warning and
control systems (AWACS), satellite feeds, and advanced data fusion. The system
has been significantly upgraded in recent years to address the growing
presence of stealth-capable platforms in the region.
While the IAF’s prompt detection and handling of the British F-35B
demonstrates the effectiveness and readiness of India’s air defence
infrastructure, there is no clear evidence that India has “cracked the stealth
code” or achieved a technological leap in tracking stealth aircraft under
combat conditions.
The circumstances of the emergency—routine peacetime procedures, use of radar
reflectors, and coordinated communication—were the primary reasons for the
successful detection and identification of the jet. The incident does,
however, highlight India’s growing capabilities in airspace monitoring and
rapid response, reinforcing the credibility of its integrated air defence
network.
Based On ET News Report