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F-35 fighter jet lifts off from Kerala after repairs

A British F-35B fighter jet has successfully taken off from India after being grounded for over a month.

July 22, 2025 at 06:11 AM

British F-35 fighter jet takes off after weeks stranded in India's Kerala

A British F-35B fighter jet takes off after repairs in Kerala, India, ending its month-long wait.

British F-35 fighter jet successfully departs after extended grounding in India

A British F-35B fighter jet that had been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for over a month successfully took off on Tuesday after being repaired. The aircraft faced technical difficulties, including hydraulic issues and a malfunctioning auxiliary power unit. This stealth fighter, valued at around $115 million, had diverted to India after encountering bad weather during a mission in the Arabian Sea. It is now flying to meet the Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales in Darwin, Australia. The jet's extended stay in Kerala resulted in a wave of memes and light-hearted social media posts, including a humorous tourism promotion by Kerala's tourism department. Speculation around the potential dismantling of the jet for transport was quelled by the U.K. Ministry of Defense, which confirmed repairs were successful.

Key Takeaways

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The F-35 jet had hydraulic and power unit issues that delayed its flight.

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It successfully departed Kerala after repairs from U.K. engineers.

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The jet's grounding sparked a wave of memes and jokes on social media.

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Local tourism promoted humor about the situation, acknowledging British visitors.

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The incident illustrates the interaction of military operations and cultural exchange.

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Speculation around dismantling the jet was dismissed by the U.K. Ministry of Defense.

"It was our way to appreciate and thank the Brits who are the biggest inbound visitors to Kerala for tourism."

This quote from K. Biju, the top official at Kerala's tourism department, reflects the region's effort to turn an aircraft mishap into a tourism opportunity.

"The Ministry of Defense dismissed the speculation about dismantling the aircraft as unfounded."

The U.K. Ministry of Defense made it clear that repairs were successful, countering concerns over the aircraft's future.

The incident highlights not only the logistical challenges faced by modern military operations but also the unexpected interactions between technology and culture. The F-35's grounding in India led to an unexpected cultural exchange, with the local tourism board engaging in creative humor. Such responses demonstrate a growing trend where military mishaps can become not just operational issues but also opportunities for engagement and international relations. The light-hearted memes reflect the deep interest in military technology and may even serve to enhance tourism in the region.