Cracked windscreen forces US Defence Secretary's plane to make unscheduled landing in UK

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth's plane made an unscheduled landing in the UK, during a return flight headed for the US, the Pentagon said on X.

The plane carrying Hegseth on his way back from Nato's Defence Minister meeting in Belgium had a "crack in the aircraft windshield".

"The plane landed based on standard procedures and everyone onboard, including Secretary Hegseth, is safe," the government said.

Hegseth later wrote after landing: "All good. Thank God. Continue mission!"

The plane was off the coast of southern Ireland when it decided to turn back and landed at Royal Air Force Mildenhall.

Defence ministers had gathered in Belgium on Wednesday to discuss security in Ukraine.

In February a government plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio had to turn back due to a crack in the window of the cockpit, as well.