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Taiwan waits for its new F-16s, still stuck in Hawaii after a fortnight’s delay

The first two F-16 Block 70 fighters bought by Taipei from the United States have yet to reach Taiwan, after spending more than two weeks…

By Samantha Johnson / September 9, 2026
The first two F-16 Block 70 fighters bought by Taipei from the United States have yet to reach Taiwan, after spending more than two weeks in Hawaii for reasons that remain unclear.

The aircraft, which were expected to arrive at Taiwan’s Chihhang Air Base in late August, were spotted preparing for departure at Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam on Monday, raising expectations that the fighters were finally about to resume their journey.

But the two single-seat F-16Cs, numbered 6727 and 6728, apparently did not leave Hawaii, with witnesses saying they taxied towards the runway before returning to the apron.

It was the latest twist in the long-awaited delivery of the aircraft, which arrived in Hawaii on August 21 after leaving the continental United States with aerial refuelling support from US Air Force KC-135 tankers.

The pair had been expected to continue to Guam after refuelling and servicing before making the final leg to Taiwan. Instead, they have remained at Hickam, with reports suggesting an earlier attempt to leave Hawaii was also aborted.

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Neither the US side nor Taiwan’s air force has publicly explained why the aircraft have been held up for so long, fuelling speculation among military and aviation enthusiasts that technical problems may have emerged.

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