British jet stranded after technical issues finally leaves Indian airport

The F-35B fighter jet getting ready for take-off at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (AP Photo)

A British F-35B fighter jet stranded at an Indian airport for more than a month, sparking memes and cartoons on social media, took off on Tuesday after being repaired by a team of UK engineers, an Indian official said.

The stealth fighter, one of the world’s most advanced and costing about £85 million, was grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in the southern state of Kerala due to technical snags.