F-35B makes emergency landing in Japan and latest updates from CSG25

A UK fighter jet has been forced to make an emergency landing in Japan after suffering an engineering issue during a sortie from the Royal Navy's flagship, BFBS Forces News understands.

The F-35B Lightning II landed at Kagoshima International Airport, outside of Kirishima, and is undergoing an inspection.

The aircraft is expected to return to the Carrier Strike Group 25 as soon as possible.

• Carrier Strike Group refuels by sea and by air as deployment continues towards Japan
• Long-term parking comes to an end as stranded F-35B jet finally leaves India
• Royal Navy F-35 from CSG25 makes emergency landing at civilian airport in India

The jet's unscheduled arrival prompted a 20-minute closure of the runway at Kagoshima airport.

Local media reported that the F-35B was not damaged while making the emergency landing.

"The aircraft landed at Kagoshima Airport due to a malfunction," Japan's defence ministry said. 

CSG25 has been conducting joint exercises with the Japanese and American militaries as the deployment approaches Japan. 

This is the second F-35B Lightning that has been forced to make an emergency landing in recent months, after the first jet was forced to make an emergency landing at India's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in June.

The £88m jet remained in India for so long that the local tourist board poked fun at the aircraft's predicament.

The F-35B finally took off from the airport in Kerala at the end of July after being stranded there for five weeks following the completion of repairs and safety checks.

The UK currently has 37 F-35Bs in service, according to The Telegraph.

The aircraft, which has a wingspan of 10.7m, is predominantly involved in air-to-surface, electronic warfare, intelligence gathering, and air-to-air missions, according to the Royal Air Force.

HMS Prince of Wales is currently leading CSG25 on an eight-month deployment.

She is due to arrive in Yokosuka for a port call on August 12th, before navigating to Tokyo on August 28th.

Interoperability in focus as deployment approaches Japan

In other developments:

• The first F-35B jet has landed on a Japanese ship, CSG25 said in a post on X.  
• HMS Prince of Wales received ammunition and fuel from RFA Tidespring and USNS Wally Schirra during continuous flying operations in the Philippine Sea, the Royal Navy said.
• Japanese, American and British senior military personnel met aboard JS Kaga, a Japanese aircraft carrier, CSG25 said. The group spoke about "sharing ideas, aligning protocols, and strengthening bonds" during the meeting.

For more reports about Carrier Strike Group 25, click here.