A British F35 fighter jet stranded in India may finally fly back home after inspiring memes
The stealth fighter, one of the world's most advanced and costing around $115 million, is stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in the southern state of Kerala due to a technical snag and is being repaired by UK engineers, officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren't authorized to speak to the media.
The jet was on a regular sortie in the Arabian Sea last month when it ran into bad weather and couldn't return to the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, the HMS Prince of Wales, officials said.
The aircraft was then diverted to Thiruvananthapuram, where it landed safely on June 14. Officials said engineers hope to repair the plane in the next few days before it could fly back to UK sometime next week.
The stranded military aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, has triggered A.I.-generated memes in India. In a social media post, the tourism department of Kerala showed the aircraft on the tarmac surrounded by coconut trees and posting a fictitious five-star review.
'Kerala is such an amazing place, I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend,' it said.
The state's top official at the tourism department, K. Biju, said the post was put out in 'good humor.'
'It was our way to appreciate and thank the Brits who are the biggest inbound visitors to Kerala for tourism,' said Biju.
Another cartoon posted on X showed the plane enjoying snacks with a group of locals against a scenic background.
The British High Commission confirmed to The Associated Press that a UK engineering team has been deployed to 'assess and repair' the aircraft.
There has been speculation in India that if the engineers fail to rectify the aircraft, it could be partially dismantled and transported in a cargo plane. The UK's Ministry of Defense dismissed the speculation in an emailed statement.
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Arab News
4 days ago
- Arab News
A British F35 fighter jet stranded in India may finally fly back home after inspiring memes
NEW DELHI: A British F-35B fighter jet stranded at an Indian airport for nearly a month, sparking memes and cartoons on social media, is expected to fly back home as early as next week, Indian officials said. The stealth fighter, one of the world's most advanced and costing around $115 million, is stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in the southern state of Kerala due to a technical snag and is being repaired by UK engineers, officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren't authorized to speak to the media. The jet was on a regular sortie in the Arabian Sea last month when it ran into bad weather and couldn't return to the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, the HMS Prince of Wales, officials said. The aircraft was then diverted to Thiruvananthapuram, where it landed safely on June 14. Officials said engineers hope to repair the plane in the next few days before it could fly back to UK sometime next week. The stranded military aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, has triggered A.I.-generated memes in India. In a social media post, the tourism department of Kerala showed the aircraft on the tarmac surrounded by coconut trees and posting a fictitious five-star review. 'Kerala is such an amazing place, I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend,' it said. The state's top official at the tourism department, K. Biju, said the post was put out in 'good humor.' 'It was our way to appreciate and thank the Brits who are the biggest inbound visitors to Kerala for tourism,' said Biju. Another cartoon posted on X showed the plane enjoying snacks with a group of locals against a scenic background. The British High Commission confirmed to The Associated Press that a UK engineering team has been deployed to 'assess and repair' the aircraft. There has been speculation in India that if the engineers fail to rectify the aircraft, it could be partially dismantled and transported in a cargo plane. The UK's Ministry of Defense dismissed the speculation in an emailed statement.
Arab News
03-07-2025
- Arab News
Stranded UK F-35 jet becomes unexpected star in Indian tourism campaign
NEW DELHI: India's southern state of Kerala has found a unique ambassador to promote its coconut palm-lined beaches, backwaters and vibrant culture to tourists — a British F-35 fighter jet that has been stranded there since mid-June. The Royal Navy aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at the airport of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on June 14 and has been grounded ever since, despite efforts to repair it. An AI-generated image of the stealth aircraft parked on the tarmac surrounded by coconut trees has gone viral after it was shared by Kerala's Tourism Department on Wednesday. 'This was part of our tourism campaign. It has been one of the most innovative and eye-catching ones ... It's all in good humor and creativity,' Biju K., Kerala's tourism secretary, said. In the viral social media post, originally created by entertainment website The Fauxy, the jet can be seen giving the state of Kerala five golden stars, calling it 'an amazing place.' 'I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend,' the image quotes the jet as saying. 'Though tourism is under the government, it has moved out of government space in promoting the destination,' said Roy Mathew, director of Stark Communications, the tourism department's brand promotion agency. Kerala is among India's most popular tourist destinations, and markets itself with the tagline 'God's own country.' Last year, 22.2 million tourists visited the state. It boasts natural beauty along India's south-western coastline and a rich heritage of classical dances, temple festivals and vibrant cuisine. The Indian Air Force said last month it would help in the repair and return of the F-35, which made an emergency landing on June 14 when it was flying over the Arabian Sea off Kerala's coast. A British High Commission spokesperson told Reuters the UK had accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. The jet will be moved to the hangar once engineering teams arrive from the UK with specialist equipment, the spokesperson added. The Royal Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. UK's Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said in Parliament on Monday that a Royal Air Force crew were in Thiruvananthapuram and working with Indian counterparts.
Al Arabiya
03-07-2025
- Al Arabiya
Stranded UK F-35 jet becomes unexpected star in Indian tourism campaign
India's southern state of Kerala has found a unique ambassador to promote its coconut palm-lined beaches, backwaters and vibrant culture to tourists - a British F-35 fighter jet that has been stranded there since mid-June. The Royal Navy aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at the airport of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on June 14 and has been grounded ever since, despite efforts to repair it. An AI-generated image of the stealth aircraft parked on the tarmac surrounded by coconut trees has gone viral after it was shared by Kerala's tourism department on Wednesday. 'This was part of our tourism campaign. It has been one of the most innovative and eye-catching ones... It's all in good humor and creativity,' Biju K., Kerala's tourism secretary, told Reuters. In the viral social media post, originally created by entertainment website The Fauxy, the jet can be seen giving the state of Kerala five golden stars, calling it 'an amazing place.' 'I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend,' the image quotes the jet as saying. 'Though tourism is under the government, it has moved out of government space in promoting the destination,' said Roy Mathew, director of Stark Communications, the tourism department's brand promotion agency. Kerala is among India's most popular tourist destinations, and markets itself with the tagline 'God's own country'. Last year, 22.2 million tourists visited the state. It boasts natural beauty along India's south-western coastline and a rich heritage of classical dances, temple festivals and vibrant cuisine. The Indian Air Force said last month it would help in the repair and return of the F-35, which made an emergency landing on June 14 when it was flying over the Arabian Sea off Kerala's coast. A British High Commission spokesperson told Reuters the UK had accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. The jet will be moved to the hangar once engineering teams arrive from the UK with specialist equipment, the spokesperson added. The Royal Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. UK's Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said in Parliament on Monday that a Royal Air Force crew were in Thiruvananthapuram and working with Indian counterparts.
