The unusual saga of the F-35B fighter jet, stranded in India for over five weeks, not only raised eyebrows but also inspired countless memes and jokes on social media.
Famous UK Fighter Jet Quits India After Five-Week Sojourn
Famous UK Fighter Jet Quits India After Five-Week Sojourn
A misadventure becomes a viral sensation as the British F-35B finally departs from Kerala.
The British F-35B, a highly advanced stealth fighter jet, departed from Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala after undergoing repairs, finally continuing its journey to Darwin, Australia. The aircraft had been diverted to the Indian airport on June 14 due to bad weather and technical issues occurring during a mission in the Indian Ocean. Its unexpected and extended stay in India raised significant interest and many humorous responses as the jet became a meme phenomenon.
The British High Commission confirmed the aircraft's departure on Tuesday morning. Engineers from the UK Ministry of Defence had come to India to address the technical complications preventing the jet from returning to its home base aboard the HMS Prince of Wales. Despite the potential of having to dismantle the aircraft for transport if repairs failed, the aviation experts managed to fix the jet, allowing it to resume service.
The prolonged presence of the $110 million jet, often referred to as the "lonely F-35B," turned into comedic fodder on social media, with users joking about its extended vacation in 'God's Own Country.' Kerala Tourism even humorously suggested that the jet was having trouble leaving like many other visitors to the state. Memes surfaced depicting the jet for sale online and poking fun at the notion of the F-35B deserving Indian citizenship after such an extensive stay in the country. The jet finally took flight on Tuesday, leaving behind playful remarks on social media as it embarked from its unusual holiday.
