A British F-35B stealth fighter jet, stranded at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram airport for 18 days, has unexpectedly become the center of a social media meme storm—and the Kerala Tourism Department has now joined the fun. In a light-hearted post on X, the department quipped that the jet was “not willing to leave” because “Kerala is a place you never want to leave.”

The post also included an AI-generated image of the F-35B fighter alongside a fake five-star review that read, “Kerala is such an amazing place, I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend.” The department thanked the satirical platform “The Fauxy” for inspiring the viral poster.

The F-35B, a fifth-generation stealth aircraft known for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, was returning from a joint maritime exercise with the Indian Navy in the Indo-Pacific when it made an emergency landing in Kerala’s capital. The aircraft, which is part of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, has since been exposed to Kerala’s scorching heat and seasonal rains.

The prolonged stay has led to a flood of internet humor. One popular meme mockingly offers the jet “for sale,” while another compares the situation to a scene from the Malayalam cult classic Vellanakalude Nadu, in which a defunct road roller becomes a bureaucratic nuisance. Social media users have also joked about the potential aviation parking fees being levied on the parked warplane.

Despite the jet’s advanced technology and elite status, its unplanned layover in Kerala has turned it into a surprising mascot for the state’s tourism charm, proving that sometimes, even military hardware isn’t immune to Kerala’s laid-back appeal—or its meme culture.

A joint counter-terrorism operation, Operation CHHATRU is currently underway in the Kanzal Mandu area of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir, according to an official statement from the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps. The operation was launched earlier today based on precise intelligence inputs, and involves coordinated action by multiple security agencies to track and neutralize suspected militants in the area.

The engagement began in the afternoon and remains active, with troops continuing their efforts on the ground. While no official confirmation has been given regarding casualties or the number of militants involved, the Army has stated that the situation remains fluid and dynamic.

Kishtwar has long been a challenging zone for counter-insurgency forces due to its difficult mountainous terrain and history of terrorist presence. In May 2025, an encounter in the nearby Chhatru region resulted in the death of one soldier and the elimination of two terrorists, underscoring the risks involved in such missions.

Security forces have reportedly increased their presence in the area to ensure containment and to prevent any escape attempts. The current operation forms part of ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region, especially in light of past incidents that drew scrutiny. In November 2024, an operation in the same district led to allegations of civilian mistreatment, prompting internal reviews and public concern over operational conduct.

Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement as the operation proceeds. Further details are expected as the situation develops.

Paras Anti Drone Technologies, a subsidiary of Paras Defence and Space Technologies, announced a major export deal on Tuesday to supply advanced counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems to French firm CERBAIR. The agreement, valued at Rs 22 crore, involves the delivery of up to 30 CHIMERA 200 systems—man-portable RF detection and neutralisation devices built to counter rogue drones and drone swarms.

The CHIMERA 200 system is a field-proven, upgradeable counter-UAS platform offering wideband detection and neutralisation capabilities. It supports omnidirectional and directional operations across the 400 MHz to 6 GHz frequency spectrum, with up to five simultaneous bands. The system is capable of identifying threats such as drones, remote controls, and take-off locations with precision and speed, making it well-suited for modern UAV threats.

The deal strengthens India’s growing reputation as a global exporter of high-end defence technologies. Paras Anti Drone Technologies highlighted that the agreement aligns with India’s Make-in-India initiative and its goal of reaching USD 5 billion in annual defence exports by 2025.

Ashutosh Baheti, CEO of Paras Anti Drone Technologies, called the partnership a testament to India’s rising status as a trusted provider of cutting-edge anti-drone solutions. He emphasized the company’s commitment to meeting international standards with field-tested and scalable systems.

CERBAIR President Lucas Le Bell, in a letter of intent to Paras, noted rising demand for such systems in Europe amid increasing drone threats and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He highlighted the importance of boosting neutralisation power output and agility to counter advanced drone technologies in real-time scenarios.

The CHIMERA 200, already deployed across critical infrastructure in India, is expected to serve a key role in Europe’s evolving security landscape. The partnership is set to unlock further export opportunities and expand cooperation through 2026 and beyond.

Amit Mahajan, Director at Paras Defence and Space Technologies Ltd, stated that India has moved beyond licensed manufacturing to emerge as a global hub for designing and exporting reliable, cost-effective defence technologies.

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to expedite the delayed delivery of GE F404-IN20 engines, which power the Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-1A variants of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft. The request was made during a bilateral meeting on Tuesday, as reported by The Print.

The delivery of the engines, delayed by over two years, has become a significant obstacle in meeting production timelines for the Tejas jets, developed jointly by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Singh underscored the urgency, stating that the engine delivery is a critical issue and must be resolved on a priority basis.

The GE F404-IN20 engine, manufactured by General Electric, is integral to India’s plans to modernize its air force under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The lightweight, single-engine Tejas fighter has been positioned as a key component of India’s drive toward self-reliance in defense production.

Production setbacks have affected HAL’s ability to deliver the 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets ordered under a ₹48,000 crore contract signed in 2021, with further orders likely to follow. The Indian Air Force, seeking to replace its aging fleet, views the timely induction of Tejas aircraft as crucial to strengthening its operational capabilities amid growing regional security threats.

In a significant step toward enhancing India’s naval firepower, Russia is set to deliver a leased Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine to the Indian Navy by 2028, according ti a report by jounralist Sandeep Unnithan for ChakranewZ. The submarine, part of a $3 billion intergovernmental deal signed in 2019, was originally scheduled for delivery in 2025 but has been delayed due to logistical and technical challenges.

The vessel, expected to succeed the now-retired INS Chakra—which was leased from Russia between 2012 and 2022—will bolster India’s underwater warfare capabilities at a time when strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific is intensifying. The upgraded submarine will now be equipped with the advanced 3M14K Kalibr (SS-N-30A) cruise missile, offering a dramatic improvement in strike range from the previously planned 500–600 km variant to a range of 1,500–2,000 km.

The inclusion of the 3M14K missile variant, part of the export-oriented Club missile family, significantly enhances the submarine’s ability to conduct long-range precision strikes from underwater, targeting both land and sea-based threats with greater lethality. This aligns with India’s broader push to modernize its naval arsenal and sustain a credible regional deterrence posture.

Akula-class submarines are among the most advanced nuclear attack submarines globally, known for their stealth, speed, and versatility. Armed with torpedoes and cruise missiles, they are built for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface operations, and deep strike missions. The new platform will complement India’s current underwater fleet, which includes conventional Scorpene-class submarines and two indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, including the INS Arihant.

While the report did not cite specific causes for the delay, it notes that such postponements often stem from technical challenges, global supply chain disruptions, or geopolitical constraints. Russia’s ongoing defense production demands and international military commitments may also have contributed to the revised delivery timeline.

The acquisition is viewed as a critical element of India’s maritime strategy in response to China’s expanding naval footprint and assertiveness across the Indo-Pacific region.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, strongly condemned the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam and voiced serious concerns over China’s assertive behavior in the Indo-Pacific during a Foreign Ministers meeting held in Washington.

In a joint statement, the Quad called the Pahalgam attack—which killed 26 people—a “reprehensible act of terrorism,” and urged that the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers be brought to justice without delay. “The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism,” the statement read.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the summit, emphasized India’s right to self-defense and called on Quad partners to understand the strategic imperatives driving its counterterrorism posture.

The statement also highlighted increasing concern over China’s aggressive military maneuvers in the South and East China Seas. The Quad cited “dangerous and provocative actions,” including the use of water cannons, ramming tactics by Chinese maritime militia, and obstruction of navigation rights, which pose a direct threat to regional peace and stability. Japan and Australia have reportedly faced growing military pressure from Beijing, with live-fire naval exercises near Australian waters earlier this year alarming regional security observers.

The Quad also touched on broader regional issues, including the civil conflict in Myanmar and security threats posed by North Korea. To streamline coordination, the group announced a renewed focus on four key areas: maritime and transnational security, critical and emerging technologies, economic prosperity, and humanitarian assistance.

Among the initiatives unveiled was the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative aimed at securing supply chains for vital resources. A new joint training exercise focused on enhancing shared airlift and logistics capacity will be conducted later this year. Plans were also announced for the “Quad Ports of the Future Partnership,” scheduled to launch in Mumbai in the coming months.

With India set to host the Quad Leaders Summit later this year, momentum is building around deeper strategic cooperation and a collective response to regional threats.