British F-35B Jet Grounded in Kerala Sparks Fake OLX Sale Rumour
In a bizarre turn of events, a grounded British F-35B Lightning II fighter jet in Kerala became the subject of a viral fake sale post on OLX, sparking both humour and misinformation across social media. The aircraft, one of the most technologically advanced and expensive in the world, has been stuck at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport since Saturday due to a technical malfunction.
The F-35B is part of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, which is currently operating in the Indo-Pacific region and recently conducted joint naval exercises with the Indian Navy. Its unplanned landing and continued grounding in Kerala have been under tight security, with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployed to protect the site. However, while aviation engineers from the UK have been working to address a snag in the jet’s hydraulic systems, the aircraft remains unable to return to its aircraft carrier.
As the story of the grounded jet gained traction, an unusual and fake listing surfaced online claiming that the F-35B was being sold on the classified ads platform OLX for a mere USD 4 million. A screenshot showing the supposed OLX ad quickly went viral on social media platforms, especially on X (formerly Twitter), drawing reactions ranging from amusement to confusion. The fake post hilariously mentioned features like “automatic parking,” “brand new tyres,” and even a new battery—details typically found in used car listings, not military-grade aircraft.
Despite the image's realism, no such post was found on OLX’s official website. In fact, one of the biggest giveaways that the listing was fake was the pricing in US dollars, which is uncommon for local OLX listings in India, particularly those originating from Kerala. Adding to this, the absurdity of listing a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet on a consumer platform like OLX would, for most, immediately raise red flags. Nevertheless, the viral nature of the post prompted OLX India to respond directly to concerned users.
A user flagged the listing on X, and OLX replied: “Dear OLX User, We regret the inconvenience caused to you. We would quickly like to resolve this for you. Please send us an email on support@olx.in with the complete details so that we can check further.” This response served as an official confirmation that the listing was fabricated and not hosted on the OLX platform.
Meanwhile, the real story of the F-35B remains serious. The jet is estimated to cost upwards of $100 million per unit and is known for its short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, which make it suitable for operations from aircraft carriers with limited deck space. The UK Ministry of Defence has not commented extensively on the cause of the failure, but sources indicate that the fault lies within the hydraulic systems, which are crucial for flight control operations. Ground teams have been working round-the-clock to address the issue but have so far been unsuccessful.
This incident has also raised questions about the logistical challenges involved in deploying such advanced military equipment in foreign territories. While joint operations and exercises are crucial for defence collaboration, the risks of equipment failure and the dependency on specific maintenance protocols often complicate such deployments. The grounded F-35B has become both a diplomatic and operational focal point in the Indo-Pacific theatre, with Indian and British authorities coordinating closely on safety, security, and repair efforts.
It’s worth noting that while the OLX hoax may have been seen as comic relief by many online users, such misinformation also has the potential to cause diplomatic embarrassment or public misunderstanding. In an era where fake news can travel faster than official statements, it’s important to verify content before sharing it. What began as a military incident has now evolved into a viral social media episode, reminding us of the unpredictable nature of public discourse in the digital age.
With the fighter jet still grounded, the UK's Royal Navy continues to operate in the Indo-Pacific with the rest of the HMS Prince of Wales fleet. The eventual departure of the aircraft will depend on the successful resolution of the hydraulic issues. Until then, the F-35B remains a high-security asset parked on Indian soil, generating both international military interest and unintended viral fame.