On June 14, 2025, a British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II, a $110-million pinnacle of aerospace engineering, made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India, during joint naval exercises in the Arabian Sea. A low-fuel situation, exacerbated by monsoon turbulence, led to the unscheduled stop, but a hydraulic issue has kept this technological marvel grounded for over three weeks, under the vigilant protection of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Let us first take stock of the technicalities so that the facts are not overshadowed by “humour-coated”, subtle anti-democratic narratives.  The jet’s advanced technology commands respect, showcasing human ingenuity even in its moment of vulnerability.

The Emergency Landing

Imagine a cutting-edge F-35B, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group (CSG25), soaring 100 nautical miles off Kerala during drills with the Indian Navy. At 9:28 PM IST on June 14, Captain Mike, the pilot, signals a 43-second SQUAWK 7700 distress code—low fuel. The Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) deftly guides the jet to Thiruvananthapuram’s tarmac. A hydraulic issue, detected during pre-departure checks, anchored it at Bay 4, the airport’s VIP zone. Guarded 24/7 by CISF, the jet—a testament to engineering brilliance—sat under monsoon rains.

Technical Marvel: The F-35B’s Ingenuity

The F-35B, crafted by Lockheed Martin, is a fifth-generation masterpiece. Its stealth design, with a radar cross-section the size of a golf ball (0.005 square meters), makes it nearly invisible to enemy radar.

Capable of Mach 1.6 speeds, it wields guided missiles, a 25mm cannon, and advanced electronic warfare systems. Its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability, powered by a lift fan and swivelling nozzle, allows operations from carriers like HMS Prince of Wales, a feat of engineering that redefines versatility. The hydraulic system—driving landing gear, brakes, flight surfaces, and STOVL mechanics—is a complex network, and its current failure underscores the jet’s intricate design, requiring specialised expertise not readily available or to be accessed everywhere.

A three-man Royal Navy crew, flown in via AW101 Merlin on June 15, couldn’t resolve the hydraulic issue. The UK, cautious about the advanced technology of the fighter jet, initially declined Air India’s hangar offer, prioritising security. Unlike the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), notorious for intellectual property (IP) theft, India offered cooperative assistance without demanding tech insights, earning respect for its integrity.

After two weeks, the UK agreed to move the jet to the airport’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility once a 40-member team, including Lockheed Martin specialists, arrives on July 5 with a custom tow vehicle aboard a C-17 Globemaster III. If repairs prove unfeasible, the jet may be dismantled—wings, fins, and all—to fit a C-17 for transport home, mirroring a 2022 South Korean F-35A case. The F-35’s maintenance challenges (low Mean Flight Hours Between Critical Failures) highlight the trade-offs of its cutting-edge design, but its capabilities inspire awe. An X user marvelled, “Even grounded, this jet’s tech is a wonder!”

Diplomatic Harmony

The incident underscores India-UK defence synergy. The IAF and Navy facilitated a safe landing and refuelling, earning praise from the British High Commission. The UK’s guarded approach to maintenance details reflects standard protocol for sensitive assets, not mistrust of India, which has never shown a CCP-like appetite for IP theft.

And now, the humour-coated narrative war

The lone silent fighter jet has triggered the anti-American leftist-Jihadi cabal into a rhapsody (akin to recent new types of "victories" - Ayatollah's "bloody" "victory", Pakistan's "red nose" "victory", Rahul Gandhi's electoral “victory”) without moving an inch, forget dropping even a small bomb or firing a single shot.

The fighter is not making any noise and is standing silent, but has sent the cabal into a boisterous tizzy and a hallucinating cacophonic euphoria, helping forget the recent pains inflicted by the trio - India, Israel and the US.

The Leftist-Jihadi Rhapsody: A Fleeting High

Indian state Kerala, governed by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), shares California’s leftist spirit, often critiquing Western or American capitalism. Its tourism department took the lead in the info-war with humour coating.

 

The F-35B’s grounding—a US-UK engineering triumph paused by a hydraulic glitch—has an anti-American leftist-Jihadi cabal buzzing like intoxicated insects. Recent wars exposed CCP weapons as damp squibs, fizzling on the battlefield like wet firecrackers. It’s a temporary high, dulling the pain from India-Israel-US geopolitical blows.

 

Is this a propaganda scheme?

 

In these days of volleys of victorious narratives shot against actual bombs and missiles, this can very much be subtle propaganda — casting the jet as a “guest” teases American pride emanating from red-flag rebellion. Imagine the F-35B tweeting, “Kerala’s hospitality outshines my stealth, but be sure I’m not funding your anti-capitalist party!” Or Lockheed Martin quipping, “Our jet’s grounded, but slogans and memes soar just to boomerang — bravo, Red Green Nexus thriving in the land of God!”

 

Conclusion: A Silent Marvel, A Vibrant Saga

The F-35B’s Kerala chapter has been turned into - diplomatic comedy narrative epicentre, as the leftist cabal has no other credible ammunition.

The hydraulic glitch highlights the challenges of cutting-edge engineering, yet its advanced design inspires admiration.

India’s cooperative spirit, free of CCP-style IP grabs, strengthens India-UK ties.

Leftist-Jihadi meme-fest reflecting cabal’s euphoria, fuelled by CCP’s battlefield flops, is mere noise, no bombs.

The F-35B, even grounded, stands as a testament to human innovation, earning respect amid the monsoon mayhem.