Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Two weeks after it made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport, the UK’s F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet continues to remain grounded, awaiting a specialised team of engineers. In the meantime, the high-tech jet has become the subject of viral jokes and memes across social media.
Renowned for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, the fifth-generation fighter — part of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group — was returning from joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy in the Indo-Pacific when it was forced to land in Kerala’s capital. Despite its cutting-edge design and engineering pedigree, the jet has been lying idle in the open for 14 days now, enduring Kerala’s punishing heat and torrential rains.
Social media, meanwhile, has had a field day. One widely shared post features an image of the stranded aircraft with a mock caption offering it “for sale,” inviting bids from interested buyers. Another popular discussion draws a parallel with a classic Malayalam comedy film, Vellanakalude Nadu, directed by Priyadarshan and starring Mohanlal. The memes have even sparked speculation over whether standard aviation parking fees will be applied to the parked aircraft.
