Airlift Awaited, Internet Celebrated: F-35B Fighter Goes Viral in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: More than three weeks after it made an emergency landing in Kerala, the British Royal Navy’s F-35B stealth fighter remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram airport. With efforts to fix the technical fault still unsuccessful, the UK is preparing to dismantle and airlift the jet using a C-17 Globemaster if the next repair attempt also fails.
A 40-member team of British defence personnel and Lockheed Martin–trained engineers is on its way with equipment to either resolve the issue on-site or begin the removal process. The aircraft, which landed on June 14 after a distress call during a training drill, has since drawn global attention—for both its secrecy and the diplomatic choreography involved in its handling.

Last Repair Attempt Before Possible Dismantling

The advanced fighter, estimated to cost nearly 100 million dollars, was forced to land at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after it encountered low fuel and adverse weather conditions during a training mission. It had taken off around 8:30 PM and issued a distress call shortly after, landing by 9:30 PM.
Since then, the jet has remained in an open bay at the airport, exposed to the elements. Initial attempts to repair the aircraft failed. The arriving team will attempt a final round of troubleshooting where the jet is currently parked. If that fails, it will be towed to the Air India hangar for further action. A decision on airlifting will be made after this assessment.

Dismantling the Jet: A Sensitive Operation

If dismantling is required, the fighter’s wings—spanning 11 metres—will be removed to fit the jet into a C-17 Globemaster military cargo aircraft. The F-35B is 14 metres long and only engineers certified by Lockheed Martin, the U.S. manufacturer, are authorised to carry out such operations due to the sensitive and classified nature of its technology.
The dismantling will be closely monitored and recorded by the British military to ensure that no data or components are compromised. In 2019, a similar operation was conducted in the U.S. when an F-35 Lightning II was flown from Florida’s Eglin Air Force Base to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. In 2025, an F-35A jet in South Korea was transported by road after its wings were removed.

Stealth Secrets and Delays

The jet that landed in Kerala is a U.S.-made F-35B model operated by the British Navy. It is one of the most technologically advanced and expensive military aircraft in the world, capable of flying at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet, carrying 8,100 kilograms of weapons, and reaching speeds of 1,200 miles per hour—all while remaining undetected by radar.
However, India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System tracked the aircraft as soon as it entered Indian airspace, showing the reach of Indian radar systems despite the F-35’s stealth design.
One of the reasons for the repair delay is that the U.S. does not share the F-35’s internal specifications even with allied countries. Only U.S.-authorised engineers are trained to diagnose or dismantle the jet, which is why British specialists have been sent to India. India had earlier offered a hangar to shelter the aircraft, but the UK declined, citing security concerns. All costs related to the storage and safety of the aircraft during its stay in Thiruvananthapuram will be settled by British authorities before it is removed.

From Fighter Jet to Internet Star: Kerala’s Troll Game Goes Global

While defence protocols play out behind the scenes, the F-35B has taken on a life of its own on the internet. The fighter jet has become a social media celebrity in Kerala and beyond, sparking a flood of memes, trolls, and marketing spin-offs that have kept it firmly parked in the digital spotlight.
Kerala Tourism was among the first to jump in, posting an illustrated image of the F-35B alongside the caption: “Kerala is such an amazing place. I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend.”
Mocking the jet’s prolonged stay, the campaign quickly went viral, earning praise for turning an unexpected situation into a clever tourism pitch. International media, including The New York Times, picked up the story, describing the stealth jet as a “local celebrity.”

Trolls, Brands, and the F-35B Nair

The internet wasn’t done. Memes featured the jet sipping tea in a coconut grove, lounging under Kerala’s monsoon skies, and even becoming a fan of local radio station Club FM. One post showed the aircraft repainted in KSRTC’s iconic red-and-yellow colours with the caption: "No decision yet? Hand it over to us!"
Milma Milk, Kerala Bank, Ajmi Foods, and even the Kerala AIDS Control Society joined the trend. One ad showed the pilot beside the jet saying, “I can’t leave Kerala. Bring me another Milma Jooy.”
Another campaign featured the jet wrapped in protective plastic with the message: “Stealthy? Still need protection,” as part of an STI awareness initiative.

A troll page even went as far as assigning the aircraft a Malayali identity—complete with a fake Aadhaar card. It named the jet F-35B Nair, born on June 14 (the day it landed), with Thiruvananthapuram listed as its permanent address.