Two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets, recently acquired by Taiwan from the United States, made an unexpected return to Hawaii shortly after taking off, potentially leading to further delays in their delivery schedule. The aircraft, identified by their serial numbers 6727 and 6728, had originally departed from Hickam Field in Hawaii but soon turned back, landing at the same airport. The reasons for their return remain undisclosed.
This acquisition is part of Taiwan’s order for 66 F-16 C/D Block 70 jets intended to bolster the defense of its eastern region. The new fleet is to be based at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung County and will be operated by the Air Force’s 7th Tactical Fighter Wing. The plan was for these jets to travel from Hawaii to Guam for refueling and resupply, before heading on to Taiwan. The flight duration from Hawaii to Guam is estimated at eight hours and 20 minutes, followed by an additional four hours and 40 minutes from Guam to Taiwan.
The initial delivery of the jets was anticipated to occur this week, marking the beginning of the arrival of these aircraft in Taiwan. Originally slated for 2023, the delivery timeline had already faced setbacks due to the need to relocate and restart the production line, coupled with disruptions in the supply chain.
Despite these delays, the remainder of the ordered jets is still scheduled for delivery across 2027 and 2028. The strategic deployment of these advanced fighter jets underscores Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its military capabilities amid regional tensions.