Two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets purchased by Taiwan from the United States have made an unexpected return to Hawaii shortly after their departure, potentially adding another delay to their delivery timeline. The aircraft, identified by serial numbers 6727 and 6728, took off from Hickam Field in Hawaii but soon turned back to land at their starting point. The cause of this abrupt return remains unclear at this time.
This development is part of a larger order by Taiwan, which has requested 66 F-16 C/D Block 70 jets to bolster its defense capabilities. These aircraft are intended to be stationed at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung County and will be operated by the Air Force’s 7th Tactical Fighter Wing, focusing on strengthening the defense of Taiwan’s eastern regions.
The planned route for these jets involved a flight from Hawaii to Guam for refueling and resupply, followed by a continued journey to Taiwan. The segment from Hawaii to Guam typically takes about eight hours and 20 minutes, while the subsequent leg from Guam to Taiwan is approximately four hours and 40 minutes.
The initial expectation was for the first of these aircraft to arrive in Taiwan this week. However, the delivery has already faced setbacks, initially slated for 2023 but postponed due to the relocation and restart of the production line, compounded by supply-chain disruptions. The remaining aircraft in the order are scheduled to be delivered in 2027 and 2028.