F-35: INDIA STRIKES BACK: INVISIBILITY SHATTERED

How Delhi’s multilayered radar network forced the RAF’s F-35B to land at Thiruvananthapuram

India is the first in the world to detect, identify and challenge an F-35—forcing it to land at Thiruvananthapuram. All along, the U.S. touted the Lightning II’s “invisibility,” but India of 2025 shattered that myth at the very first opportunity, not only tracking the RAF-operated jet but compelling its diversion. What followed was a flurry of explanations and excuses—predictable when an overinflated ego takes a serious hit.

What India achieved:

ASSERTING SOVEREIGN CONTROL

Controllers didn’t merely log the jet on their scopes; they hailed it on guard frequency. That clear, proactive challenge underlines that India’s Integrated Air Defence System (IADS) is fully operational and firmly in charge of its skies.

SHOWCASING MULTI-BAND RADAR PROWESS

While the F-35 is optimized to evade X- and Ku-band radars, India’s layered network (VHF/L-band for long-wave detection, S- and X-bands for fine tracking) worked in concert to spot and trail the stealth fighter.

SENDING A REGIONAL AND GLOBAL SIGNAL

By contacting the pilot first—and making that fact public—India demonstrated to the U.S., U.K. and its neighbours that its radar-and-ATC infrastructure commands respect.

REINFORCING CIVIL-MILITARY INTEGRATION

Civilian air-traffic controllers exercised their authority rather than deferring to military handlers, showcasing the maturity and interoperability of India’s dual-use aviation networks.

ALLEGED ELECTRONIC LOCKDOWN (UNVERIFIED)

Some defence-community whispers suggest India’s DRDO EW suites briefly “locked out” the F-35’s flight-control computers—disabling avionics or hydraulic bypass routines and preventing takeoff. If true, this would hint at another layer of IADS sophistication; however, no flight-data logs or diplomatic cables have yet surfaced to confirm it, so these remain speculative.

In short, India refused to play a passive role (“we saw you, but let you pass”). Instead, it flexed its detection, identification and command-and-control muscles for all to see—proving that true stealth can be countered by determination, layered sensors and sovereign resolve.