F-35s and Su-30s Clash in Simulated Combat

Eight Indian Su-30MKI fighter jets and four Jaguars involved in a simulated air battle with six British F-35B stealth fighter jets.

According to The Aviationist, the exercise took place as part of Konkan 2025, during a scenario focused on defending the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

The Su-30MKI and Jaguar IN, accompanied by an Il-76-based airborne early warning aircraft, practiced attacks on the British aircraft carrier and Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25).

The F-35B Lightning II jets served as the escorting force.

In total, four air combat engagements and three mission types were carried out during the drills.

The exercises formed part of Operation Highmast – a six-month deployment of the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group 25, which is now approaching its conclusion.

After completing the Indo-Pacific phase of the mission, the fleet is returning to the United Kingdom.

The results of the maneuvers remain classified, but their purpose may have been to prepare for potential encounters with Russian aviation.

In June, an emergency landing of a British F-35B in India was reported.

The fighter jet of the same type landed at the international airport of Thiruvananthapuram on the night of June 14-15 during a routine flight outside the Indian air defense identification zone.

According to unofficial reports from British media, insufficient fuel to safely return to the aircraft carrier caused the emergency landing.