After over five weeks of being stranded at an Indian airport, a British F-35B fighter jet has finally departed. The jet, which garnered widespread attention and humor on social media during its stay in India, is now on its way to Australia following successful repairs made by a UK engineering team.
Jet Stuck in India for Over a Month Finally Takes Off
Jet Stuck in India for Over a Month Finally Takes Off
British F-35B fighter jet departs after extensive repairs and social media fame.
A high-tech F-35B fighter jet from the UK, renowned for its advanced capabilities, has officially left Thiruvananthapuram airport in India after being stranded for more than five weeks due to an emergency landing and subsequent technical issues. The aircraft first touched down on June 14 while navigating difficult weather conditions during a mission in the Indian Ocean. This situation prompted widespread curiosity and memes regarding how such a sophisticated jet could remain grounded in a foreign country for an extended period.
The British High Commission recently confirmed the aircraft's departure, stating that a UK engineering team had successfully completed the necessary repairs and safety checks that allowed the jet to resume its journey. Speculations around the purpose of the plane's trip to Darwin, Australia, remain, but it is assumed to be part of ongoing operations with the Royal Navy's flagship carrier HMS Prince of Wales, which is currently engaged in joint exercises off the Australian coast.
In the days leading up to its departure, engineers from the Royal Navy attempted repairs on-site before a specialized team of 14 engineers was deployed on July 6. Discussions about the aircraft's potential dismantlement for transport arose, but ultimately, the repairs were successful.
During its time in Kerala, the F-35B became a popular figure on social media, eliciting both humor and creativity from netizens. Memes circulated, portraying the aircraft as a long-term visitor to India, with jokes suggesting it be put up for sale at a heavily discounted price and even proposals for it to gain Indian citizenship due to its prolonged stay. The Kerala tourism department joined in the lightheartedness, creating posts that featured the fighter jet humorously, including one that suggested it, too, found it hard to leave the picturesque destination.
As the F-35B took to the skies, social media users waved farewell, dubbing its time in India a vacation at "God's Own Country," while those overseeing its mission in the UK prepared to incorporate the aircraft back into active service.
