In brief
The British military is working to resolve the mechanical problems of an F-35B jet stranded for weeks in India, where it has become an unexpected source of local joy.
A high-tech British F-35B fighter jet created quite the buzz when it landed in Kerala, southern India, for what was expected to be a brief stop. However, the jet, worth over $100 million, developed some mechanical issues and has since been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The situation turned into a local sensation as the jet became something of a celebrity. A.I.-generated images of the abiding aircraft began circulating widely, and to add to the humor, Kerala’s tourism agency posted a cheeky five-star review from the jet itself on social media, touting the destination's charm: “Kerala is such an amazing place, I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend.” The aircraft was en route to its home carrier, the H.M.S. Prince of Wales, when it diverted due to inclement weather. It's now unclear how long it might remain grounded as British engineers investigate ways to get it back into the skies.
