‘Abhi theek karta hoon': As most advanced F-35 fighter jet stays grounded in Kerala for 19 days, memers mock US, UK repair efforts
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How a global tech marvel got stuck on Indian soil
Kerala welcomes F-35 — and the internet joins in
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Faux military commentary and pilot memes flood X
What happens next for F-35 jet
UK may face parking fees as aircraft stays grounded
UK, US teams mobilised as repair efforts intensify
Jet remains on open tarmac amid tech security concerns
A first-of-its-kind incident for the F-35B
A US-made F-35 fighter jet , one of the world's most advanced military aircraft, has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala since June 14. Despite the involvement of American, British and Lockheed Martin experts, the jet remains grounded, sparking a flood of jokes and memes across Indian social media.The F-35B made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14 after failing to return to its carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, due to poor weather and low fuel. The pilot issued a distress alert using SQUAWK 7700, and was directed to Bay 4—normally reserved for VIP aircraft—by the Indian Air Force's command and control system. Although there was initial confusion about the nature of the landing, the IAF later confirmed that it was due to fuel exhaustion after several failed landing attempts at sea.According to reports, efforts to fix the aircraft have been hampered by weather conditions. Technicians are unable to open the aircraft panels in the open due to monsoon rains. Since it hasn't been moved into a hangar, repair work has been delayed.As the jet continued to sit idle, netizens took over. Social media users from India started posting witty takes on the situation. Many joked that even the US and UK couldn't manage what Indian mechanics could easily handle.One user posted, "Day 17 of UK F-35 in India, no one can compete with Indians," while another quipped, "Aaj theek kar ke deta hu," reflecting the Indian confidence in local jugaad.Even Kerala Tourism joined the trend, posting: "Kerala, the destination you'll never want to leave," hinting humorously at the jet's extended stay.Several social media users created fictional dialogues between the F-35 pilot and the Indian air traffic control. One such post read:"Kerala Airport dikh rha haiF-35 pilot: haan dikh rha haiLand kar diyaATC: Nahi karna tha"Others joked that the F-35's presence alongside older British military aircraft has created a full-spectrum static display, unintentionally showcasing the evolution of British carrier aviation — from first-gen to fifth-gen — all parked in one Indian city.So far, there's no official update on when the aircraft will take off again. While authorities remain tight-lipped, the grounded F-35 has unintentionally given Kerala an unexpected spot in global military aviation discussions — and India's meme-makers a fresh playground.With no timeline yet for repairs, authorities at Thiruvananthapuram airport have said that the United Kingdom is likely to be charged parking fees for the jet. The final amount will be decided by the Union government. While parking charges usually depend on an aircraft's weight, officials noted that the F-35B's military classification may lead to a different approach. A government official told TOI that the charges might be routed through central agencies, considering the aircraft's foreign military status.A technical fault, reportedly involving the hydraulic system, has kept the F-35B on the ground despite initial efforts by Royal Navy engineers. Earlier last week, reports stated that a larger technical team of around 40 specialists from the UK, along with support from the US, is expected to arrive in India to assess and possibly fix the problem onsite. A spokesperson from the British High Commission said efforts were underway to restore the aircraft as quickly as possible and thanked Indian authorities for their cooperation.Although Air India offered hangar space to shelter the jet from Kerala's monsoon rains, British officials declined the offer. Their concern reportedly stems from the need to protect the aircraft's sensitive equipment and stealth technologies from potential scrutiny. Sources say there are renewed discussions about using the airport's Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, but final clearance is pending.This marks the first time a UK F-35B has been stranded in a foreign country. Developed by the United States, the jet is part of Britain's Carrier Strike Group and was deployed for maritime exercises with India. The F-35B's advanced design allows vertical landing and short takeoffs, making it suitable for aircraft carrier use. Its prolonged presence at a civilian airport has drawn attention from aviation watchers and defence observers alike.
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