Stranded British F-35 Fighter Jet Finally Takes Off from India After Month-Long Ordeal—and a Barrage of Memes

A British F-35B stealth fighter jet, valued at £80 million, was stranded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for over five weeks after an emergency landing due to technical issues. The jet's extended stay in India sparked a wave of memes and social media jokes, turning it into an unlikely internet sensation. UK engineers were flown in to repair the hydraulic fault, and the jet finally departed for Australia after being declared airworthy. The incident highlighted the logistical and security challenges of deploying advanced military technology abroad, as well as the unexpected costs, such as airport parking fees. Both UK and Indian authorities expressed gratitude for the cooperation during the repair and recovery process.